TY  - JOUR
A1  - Raila, Jens
A1  - Schweigert, Florian J.
A1  - Stanitznig, A.
A1  - Lambacher, B.
A1  - Franz, S.
A1  - Baldermann, Susanne
A1  - Wittek, T.
T1  - No detectable carotenoid concentrations in serum of llamas and alpacas
JF  - Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition
N2  - Carotenoids are lipid-soluble pigments and important for a variety of physiological functions. They are major dietary vitamin A precursors and act as lipophilic antioxidants in a variety of tissues and are associated with important health benefits in humans and animals. All animals must acquire carotenoids from their diet, but to our knowledge, there are no studies investigating the intestinal carotenoid absorption and their blood concentrations in New World camelids. The present study aimed to assess the serum concentrations of selected carotenoids in llamas (n=13) and alpacas (n=27). Serum carotenoids as well as retinol (vitamin A) and -tocopherol (vitamin E) were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry and these were unable to detect any carotenoids (- and -carotene, - and -cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene) in the samples. The concentrations of retinol in alpacas (2.89 +/- 1.13mol/l; mean +/- SD) were higher (p=0.024) than those found in llamas (2.05 +/- 0.87mol/l); however, the concentrations of -tocopherol were not significantly (p=0.166) different (llamas: 3.98 +/- 1.83mol/l; alpacas: 4.95 +/- 2.14mol/l). The results show that both llamas and alpacas are not able to absorb intact carotenoids, but efficiently convert provitamin A carotenoids to retinol.
KW  - New World camelids
KW  - carotenoids
KW  - vitamins
Y1  - 2017
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.12638
SN  - 0931-2439
SN  - 1439-0396
VL  - 101
SP  - 629
EP  - 634
PB  - Wiley
CY  - Hoboken
ER  -