Plasma alpha-tocopherol, total lipids and total cholesterol in wild rockhopper, magellanic and gentoo penguins before and after moulting

• Published in: Veterinary Record
• Main Authors: Williams, G, Ghebremeskel, K, Keymer, IF, Horsley, DT
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 1989
• Subjects: Papers & Articles; Eudyptes crestatus; Pygoscelis papua
• Online Access: http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/cgi/content/short/124/22/585; https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.124.22.585

Post moult rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes crestatus) had significantly higher plasma alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), total lipid and total cholesterol concentrations than their pre-moult counterparts. In the magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) there were post moult increases in total lipid, cholesterol and alpha-tocopherol concentrations, but only the increase in alpha-tocopherol was significant. Plasma alpha-tocopherol, total lipid and total cholesterol concentrations in post moult gentoo (Pygoscelis papua) chicks were similar to those in non-moulting adult gentoos. Species differences in the levels of these nutrients in plasma may be due to differences in their dietary habits.