 Reference Base  Preliminary impacts of dietary phytate supplementation on... |
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Sullivan, K.E.; Cerosimo, L.M.; Warren, L.K.; Fowler, A.L.; Williams, S.M.; Livingston, S.; Valdes, E.V. , 2021. Preliminary impacts of dietary phytate supplementation on iron and phosphorus in black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis). In: Brooks, M., Koutsos, E., Henry, B. Proceedings of the Fourteenth Conference on Zoo and Wildlife Nutrition, Zoo and Wildlife Nutrition Foundation a, pp. 95-96
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Captive |
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Diseases |
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Black Rhino |
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Black rhinoceroses (Diceros bicornis) under human care are susceptible to health issues associated with diet management, including iron overload disorder, hypophosphatemia, renal and gastrointestinal disorders. As browse diets for free-ranging rhinos cannot be replicated under human care, we do not understand the exact nutrient needs that optimize physiological wellness. Current recommendations under human care include supplementation of vitamin E and phosphorus and limiting bioavailable iron (Sullivan & Valdes, 2019; Sullivan et al., 2020). Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) has been demonstrated to serve as an iron chelator, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory reactant across species, but it is also a potential source of dietary phosphorus in hindgut-fermenting rhinos. We hypothesized diet supplementation with IP6 would have benefits including decreased iron availability and improved circulating phosphorus for black rhinos. Four male black rhinos at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® and Fort Worth Zoo (n = 2/institution), were enrolled in a randomized crossover study with two 21-d experimental periods with and without IP6 supplementation fed at 190% of the estimated horse-based phosphorus recommendation. Multiple-month washouts occurred between treatment periods and animals served as their own controls. Serum measurements collected on d0 and during d15-21 included iron biomarkers, CBC, and chemistry panels. All animals consumed 100% of IP6 offered with no change in animal health throughout the study. While iron parameters did not demonstrate changes (P > 0.3) there were numerical decreases; and serum phosphorus, shown to be protective against hemolytic crises, was increased with IP6 supplementation (P = 0.02; Table 1; Sullivan et al., 2020). Understanding the importance, optimal diet forms, and interplay of iron and phosphorus in black rhino physiology are critical to maintain a healthy sustainable population.
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