Seasonal patterns of luteal cyclicity in young red deer (Cervus elaphus) and sambar deer (Cervus unicolor)

1997 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 587 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. W. Asher ◽  
P. D. Muir ◽  
G. Semiadi ◽  
K. T. O'Neill ◽  
I. C. Scott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Prolactin Secretion ◽  
Seasonal Patterns ◽  
Plasma Prolactin ◽  
Reproductive Seasonality ◽  
Plasma Progesterone ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Sambar Deer ◽  
Cervus Unicolor

Seasonal onset of pubertal ovulation and incidence of luteal cyclicity was assessed from plasma progesterone proles over 15 months for tame red deer (n = 7) and sambar deer (n = 7) hinds. Seasonal responses to photoperiod were determined from plasma prolactin proles. All red deer attained puberty at 17-18 months of age in May-June and expressed 3-6 luteal cycles of length 20·0 ± 10·4 days (mean ± s.e.m.) over 52-102 days. Six sambar deer attained puberty at 7-19 months of age, between August and December. Duration of luteal cyclicity was variable. While one animal remained continuously cyclic for 13 months, most entered anoestrus between November and February. The mean length of the luteal cycle was 17·2 ± 0·3 days. While red deer exhibited strongly seasonal patterns of prolactin secretion, sambar deer showed no such seasonal trends. The data collectively indicate that young sambar hinds at temperate latitudes exhibit loosely dened patterns of reproductive seasonality that are 4-6 months out of phase with those of red deer, although some individuals may be non-seasonal. Failure to express seasonal patterns of prolactin secretion indicates that sambar deer may not perceive photoperiodic cues to the same extent as do red deer.

Effects of cold conditions on heat production by young sambar (Cervus unicolor) and red deer (Cervus elaphus)

1996 ◽  
Vol 126 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Semiadi ◽  
C. W. Holmes ◽  
T. N. Barry ◽  
P. D. Muir
Keyword(s):  
Heat Production ◽  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Fibre Length ◽  
The Body ◽  
Wind Effect ◽  
Total N ◽  
Sambar Deer ◽  
Cervus Unicolor

SUMMARYAn experiment to measure the effects of cold conditions upon heat production in young sambar (Cervus unicolor) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) was conducted during winter 1994, at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand (NZ), using four young animals of each species. Animals were fed a pelleted concentrated diet (total N 29g/kg DM; 11·9MJ metabolizable energy (ME)/kg DM) at approximately maintenance ME intake (MEI). Hair coat characteristics were measured on samples cut from a patch on the mid-side of the body. Pairs of animals (one sambar and one red deer) were confined in two open circuit calorimetry chambers (one deer in each chamber) for 18-day periods, and oxygen consumption was measured at 20 and 5 °C, with and without simulated wind (6 km/h). Heat production was calculated as 20·5 MJ/1 oxygen consumed.Hair coats of sambar deer were less deep, lighter in weight (g/m2) and contained a lower proportion of undercoat than those of red deer. Fibre length of both guard hairs and undercoat were shorter in sambar deer than in red deer, whilst fibre diameter of both guard hairs and undercoat was greater in sambar deer. Heat production (HP) at 20 °C was lower in sambar than in red deer (P <0·05; 0·46 v. 0·48-0·53 MJ/kgW0·75 per day). Increases in HP from 20 to 5 °C and from 20 °C to 5 °C W (i.e. with wind effect) were greater in sambar than in red deer (P < 0·01; 34 v. 16% and 44 v. 20%, respectively). Calculated lower critical temperatures (LCT) were higher for sambar than for red deer (P < 0·10) both in the absence (0 km/h; 11·6 v. 8·9 °C) and in the presence of wind (6 km/h; 140 v. 11·1 °C). Under field conditions, young sambar deer are likely to require more shelter and better feeding during cold weather than do red deer.

Comparison of digestive and chewing efficiency and time spent eating and ruminating in sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) and red deer (Cervus elaphus)

1994 ◽  
Vol 123 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Semiadi ◽  
T. N. Barry ◽  
K. J. Stafford ◽  
P. D. Muir ◽  
C. S. W. Reid
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Eating Behaviour ◽  
Down Low ◽  
Voluntary Feed Intake ◽  
Chewing Efficiency ◽  
Critical Particle Size ◽  
Sambar Deer ◽  
Cervus Unicolor

SummaryArtificially reared sambar (tropical) deer and red (temperate) deer were confined indoors in metabolism cages and fed chaffed lucerne hay ad libitum for 4-week periods during summer and winter at Flock House Agricultural Centre, New Zealand, during 1992. Measurements were made of voluntary feed intake (VFI), apparent digestibility, faeces particle size distribution, eating and ruminating time and the rate of chewing during eating and ruminating. Red deer reduced VFI (kg DMI/day) markedly from summer to winter, associated with a reduction in the duration of each eating bout. Sambar deer slightly increased VFI over this time, associated with an increase in chewing frequency. Digestive efficiency was similar in both species, and the critical particle size for leaving the rumen was passage through a 1 mm sieve for both species. Time spent eating/g DMI was greater for sambar deer than for red deer during summer, but there was no difference during winter. Relative to red deer, sambar deer consistently spent more time ruminating/g DMI, and spent a greater proportion of total ruminating time as daytime ruminating and had more daytime ruminating bouts. Duration of each ruminating bout (min) was similar for the two deer species, but sambar deer had less chews/bolus ruminated but more rumination boli/h than red deer. Differences between sambar deer and red deer were more pronounced in ruminating than in eating behaviour, and sambar deer may have evolved a different rumination pattern to break down low-quality tropical forages more effectively.

Digestion and chewing behaviour of young sambar and red deer consuming a low quality roughage

1995 ◽  
Vol 125 (3) ◽  
pp. 399-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Howse ◽  
G. Semiadi ◽  
K. J. Stafford ◽  
T. N. Barry ◽  
P. D. Muir
Keyword(s):  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Apparent Digestibility ◽  
Deer Species ◽  
Sambar Deer ◽  
Chewing Behaviour ◽  
Cervus Unicolor ◽  
Chewing Activity

SUMMARYLow quality chaffed meadow hay, containing 10·5 g N/kg dry matter (DM), was fed to four artificially reared sambar (tropical) deer (Cervus unicolor) and four red (temperate) deer (Cervus elaphus) confined indoors in metabolism crates at Palmerston North, New Zealand, during March and April 1994. Measurements were made of DM intake (DMI), apparent digestibility, nitrogen (N) retention and the time spent eating and ruminating. Voluntary food intake (VFI), measured over days 7–11, was substantially greater for red deer than for sambar deer (67 v. 36 gDM/kgW0·75/day). Dry matter intake of red deer was then restricted, so that apparent digestibility could be better compared between the two species. Eating and ruminating time/gDMI and chews during eating/gDMI were all greater for sambar deer than for red deer. Apparent digestibility of DM, organic matter (OM) and energy were low (c. 0·42) and not different between deer species. Apparent digestibility of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and cellulose were highest for red deer, but lignin apparent digestibility was highest for sambar deer. Both deer species lost weight and were in negative N balance. However, despite their lower N intake, sambar deer lost significantly less N and liveweight per day (– 5·6 g and – 118 g) than red deer (– 12·2 g and – 258 g). It was concluded that red deer responded to a diet of low quality roughage by increasing VFI and cellulose digestion, whilst sambar deer responded with a lower VFI but greater chewing activity, improved lignin digestion and better N conservation. Rumen mean retention time should be measured in future experiments with sambar deer and red deer fed on low quality forage diets.

Grazing patterns of sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) in captivity

1993 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 253-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Semiadi ◽  
P. D. Muir ◽  
T. N. Barry ◽  
C. J. Veltman ◽  
J. Hodgson
Keyword(s):  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Sambar Deer ◽  
Cervus Unicolor

scholarly journals Effects of exogenous melatonin on prolactin secretion, lactogenesis and reproductive seasonality of adult female red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Reproduction ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 100 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. W. Asher ◽  
F. A. Veldhuizen ◽  
C. J. Morrow ◽  
D. M. Duganzich
Keyword(s):  
Adult Female ◽  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Prolactin Secretion ◽  
Reproductive Seasonality ◽  
Exogenous Melatonin

Growth, milk intake and behaviour of artificially reared sambar deer (Cervus unicolor)and red deer(Cervus elaphus) fawns

1993 ◽  
Vol 121 (2) ◽  
pp. 273-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Semiadi ◽  
T. N. Barry ◽  
P. D. Muir
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Milk Replacer ◽  
Milk Consumption ◽  
Sambar Deer ◽  
Rate Of Decline ◽  
Cervus Unicolor ◽  
Milk Feeding

SUMMARYSambar deer (n = 8) and red deer (n = 8) fawns were successfully artificially reared to 70 days of age, using ewe milk replacer, at Flock House Agricultural Centre, New Zealand, during 1991. Sambar deer fawns had a lower overall milk consumption than red deer fawns (312 v. 359 g DM/day; P < 0·05), and showed an earlier peak in milk consumption, a faster rate of decline and earlier self weaning. Birth weight as a proportion of dam liveweight was lower for sambar than for red deer, but liveweight gains to weaning (347 v. 330 g/day) and 70 day weaning weights (300 v. 30·4 kg) were similar. The age at which deer commenced a range of activities, including eating forage and ruminating, was similar for both species, except that jumping activities commenced 5 days later in sambar than in red deer (P < 0·01). Following milk feeding, sambar fawns were less active than red deer fawns. It was concluded that sambar deer fawns can be successfully artificially reared using ewe milk replacer, but that extra precautions are needed to avoid scouring and abomasal bloat, which were more prevalent in sambar than in red deer fawns.

scholarly journals Influence of prenatal photoperiod on postnatal prolactin secretion in red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Reproduction ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 95 (3) ◽  
pp. 959-964 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. L. Adam ◽  
C. E. Kyle ◽  
P. Young
Keyword(s):  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Prolactin Secretion

Does habitat type modify group size in roe deer and red deer under predation risk by Iberian wolves?

2008 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
pp. 170-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Barja ◽  
S. Rosellini
Keyword(s):  
Predation Risk ◽  
Group Size ◽  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Roe Deer ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Capreolus Capreolus ◽  
Antipredator Response ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Grouping Behavior

We examined whether group size in red deer ( Cervus elaphus L., 1758) and roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus (L., 1758)) under predation risk by Iberian wolves ( Canis lupus L., 1758) is affected by the type of habitat in which the deer reside. We hypothesized that group size (i) would be larger in open than in closed habitats, since it is an antipredator response, and (ii) would vary more with habitat type in the species that had higher wolf predation rates. In the study area, wolves were the only predator of wild ungulates, with roe deer being the main target prey. We performed monthly transects along paths to observe the group size of red and roe deer. In roe deer, the mean group size was significantly higher in open than in closed habitats, serving as an antipredator response. However, in red deer, habitat type did not affect group size. The results indicate that under predation risk by wolves the habitat type influences the grouping behavior of roe deer but not red deer. Furthermore, compared with forests, heaths offer less protection from predators and species in this habitat would benefit from larger group sizes.

A note on the effect of melatonin feeding on the initiation of ovarian activity and on plasma prolactin levels in lactating and non-lactating red deer hinds

1985 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 515-518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Nowak ◽  
R. N. Elmhirst ◽  
R. G. Rodway
Keyword(s):  
Detection Limit ◽  
Corpus Luteum ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Ovarian Activity ◽  
Plasma Prolactin ◽  
Melatonin Treatment ◽  
Plasma Progesterone ◽  
Blood Samples

ABSTRACTMelatonin was fed daily at 14.00 h to eight non-lactating and six lactating hinds. Feeding was begun on 27 July 1983 (day 1) and continued until 21 September (day 57). Six non-lactating hinds were used as controls. Blood samples were taken about every 10 days from day 42 until day 73. Plasma progesterone and prolactin were determined by radioimmunoassay. Progesterone values of greater than 0·63 μg/1 were taken to indicate the presence of a corpus luteum and that the animal had ovulated. In the melatonintreated, non-lactating group seven of the eight hinds showed ovarian activity compared with two of the six controls (P < 0·01). None of the lactating hinds treated with melatonin showed evidence of ovarian activity. In both the lactating and non-lactating hinds treated with melatonin, prolactin levels were never greater than the detection limit of the assay (7·4 μg/l), while, in the control hinds mean prolactin levels were elevated on all but the last sampling day. It is, therefore, possible to induce early ovarian activity in non-lactating red deer hinds by feeding melatonin. However, although melatonin treatment similarly depressed plasma prolactin levels in both lactating and non-lactating hinds, it was unable to overcome the inhibitory effect of lactation on reproduction.

scholarly journals Effects of melatonin implants on reproductive seasonality of male red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Reproduction ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Webster ◽  
J. M. Suttie ◽  
I. D. Corson
Keyword(s):  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Reproductive Seasonality
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