Subclinical thiamine deficiency results in failed reproduction in Arctic foxes.
breeding
physiology-reproductive
pregnancy
wildlife
Journal
Veterinary medicine and science
ISSN: 2053-1095
Titre abrégé: Vet Med Sci
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101678837
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Mar 2024
Mar 2024
Historique:
revised:
20
11
2023
received:
13
07
2023
accepted:
07
01
2024
medline:
15
2
2024
pubmed:
15
2
2024
entrez:
15
2
2024
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Thiamine deficiency can result in life-threatening physiological and neurological complications. While a thiamine-deficient diet may result in the onset of such symptoms, the presence of thiaminase - an enzyme that breaks down thiamine - is very often the cause. In such instances, thiaminase counteracts the bioavailability and uptake of thiamine, even when food-thiamine levels are adequate. Here, we report on a case of failed reproduction in seven Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) breeding pairs kept at a captive breeding facility, including the presentation of severe thiamine deficiency symptoms in two male foxes. Symptoms included ataxia, obtundation, truncal sway, star-gazing and visual impairment. Blood tests were inconclusive, yet symptoms resolved following treatment with a series of thiamine hydrochloride injections, thereby verifying the diagnosis. A fish-dominated feed, which for the first time had been frozen for a prolonged period, was identified as the likely source of thiaminase and subsequent deterioration in the animals' health. Symptoms in the two males arose during the annual mating period. All seven breeding pairs at the captive breeding station failed to reproduce - a phenomenon never recorded during the captive breeding facility's preceding 17-year operation. Relating our findings to peer-reviewed literature, the second part of this case report assesses how thiamine deficiency (due to thiaminase activity) likely resulted in subclinical effects that impaired the production of reproduction hormones, and thereby led to a complete breeding failure. While previous work has highlighted the potentially lethal effects of thiamine deficiency in farmed foxes, this is, to our knowledge the first study showing how subclinical effects in both males and females may inhibit reproduction in foxes in general, but specifically Arctic foxes. The findings from our case report are not only relevant for captive breeding facilities, but for the welfare and management of captive carnivorous animals in general.
Types de publication
Case Reports
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
e1358Subventions
Organisme : Miljødirektoratet
ID : 19087015 and
Organisme : Norges Forskningsråd
ID : 160022/F40 NINA
Informations de copyright
© 2024 The Authors. Veterinary Medicine and Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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