scholarly journals Evaluating indices of nutritional condition for caribou (Rangifer tarandus): which are the most valuable and why?

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (7) ◽  
pp. 596-613
Author(s):  
Rachel C. Cook ◽  
John A. Crouse ◽  
John G. Cook ◽  
Thomas R. Stephenson

Body composition studies are critical for evaluating the accuracy of nutritional condition indices for predicting body components. We evaluated >40 indices of nutritional condition for caribou (Rangifer tarandus (Linnaeus, 1758)) using 29 female caribou captured from three populations in Alaska (USA) that ranged in condition from 2.3% to 11.2% ingesta-free body fat (IFBF) and 6 captive female caribou that ranged in condition from 8.1% to 26.0% IFBF. Estimates of body fat, protein, and gross energy were regressed against each index of nutritional condition. Generally, indices with linear or slightly curvilinear relations to body fat and those based on multiple fat depots were the most accurate in predicting nutritional condition and the most useful over the full range of nutritional condition. A scaledLIVINDEX (a combination of subcutaneous fat thickness and a condition score), CONINDEX (a combination of kidney fat and marrow fat), and a subset of the Kistner score (pericardium and kidneys only) had the strongest relationship with body fat (r2 > 0.86) and were useful over the entire range of nutritional condition. If used properly and with adequate training, indices of nutritional condition can be a critical tool for understanding the severity and seasonality of nutritional limitations in wild caribou populations.

1987 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 368-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Z. Adamczewski ◽  
C. C. Gates ◽  
R. J. Hudson

Twenty-seven barren-ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus) carcass sides were dissected on Coats Island, Northwest Territories, Canada, to calibrate indices of dissectible fat, muscle, and bone. Carcass muscle weight was accurately predicted from weight of the gastrocnemius muscle (In (carcass muscle, kg) = −2.791 + 1.071 In (gastrocnemius, g); r2 = 0.98), and carcass bone weight was accurately predicted from weight of the femur (In (carcass bone, kg) = −4.878 + 1.137 In (femur, g); r2 = 0.98). These allometric relationships held for calves and adults and for animals gaining and losing fat. The subcutaneous, intermuscular, pelvic, and internal omental and perirenal fat depots were weighed for each of 23 animals. The intermuscular and subcutaneous depots were largest and subcutaneous fat increasingly predominated at advanced fatness. Total dissectible fat in the five depots was most accurately predicted from depth of back fat and weight of kidney fat (dissectible fat (kg) = −0.178 + 1.058 depth of back fat (cm) + 24.147 kidney fat (kg); r2 = 0.98) and the regression was unaffected by age or condition. Comparison with similar studies suggests that such within-tissue relationships may be valid for all subspecies of Rangifer.


2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (9) ◽  
pp. 1481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla J. Härter ◽  
Herymá G. O. Silva ◽  
Lisiane D. Lima ◽  
Douglas S. Castagnino ◽  
Astrid R. Rivera ◽  
...  

Non-invasive methods for estimating body composition to monitor nutritional status in goats have been less studied. Therefore, this study estimated the body composition and fat depots of pregnant goats by using indirect measurements, such as bodyweight (BW) and ultrasound measurements of the Longissimus muscle area (LMA) and kidney fat thickness (KFT). Forty-three pregnant goats were slaughtered at 50, 80, 110 and 140 days of gestation to determine the gross energy and fat content in the body, as well as to obtain the mass of renal fat, omental fat and non-carcass fat. After the slaughter, the mass of fat depots was recorded and the whole body of the each animal was ground to take samples for determining gross energy (using a bomb calorimeter) and fat (Soxhlet extraction with ether). Animals were weighed, and ultrasonographic measurements were taken at the time of slaughter. The LMA and KFT measurements were taken between the 12th and 13th rib and after the 13th rib space, respectively, and these measurements were used to estimate total gross energy, body fat content and the renal fat, omental fat and non-carcass fat mass. Multiple regressions were performed using Proc mixed of SAS. No significant correlation was observed between gross energy and body fat composition, the number of fetuses or the days of gestation. LMA and BW were positively related to body fat and gross energy contents. KFT and BW showed a positive correlation with renal fat depots, omental fat content and non-carcass fat mass. The estimated models revealed that the total body fat increased from 15.6% to 20.8% of bodyweight from 50 to 140 days of gestation. This report is the first study using kidney fat thickness as a tool to predict fat depots in goats. LMA, BW and KFT measurements will enable the development of models to aid in the monitoring of the nutritional status of goats during pregnancy.


1984 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. A. Wright ◽  
A. J. F. Russel

ABSTRACTA number of possible indices of body composition (live weight, skeletal size, total body water as estimated by deuterium oxide dilution, blood and red cell volumes as estimated by Evans Blue dilution, ultrasonic measurements of subcutaneous fat depth and eye-muscle area, and body condition scoring) was examined using 73 non-pregnant, non-lactating, mature cows of Hereford × Friesian, Blue-Grey, British Friesian, Galloway and Luing genotypes, ranging in body condition score from 0·75 to 4·5. Direct measurements of body composition in terms of water, fat, protein and ash were made following slaughter.Live weight, deuterium oxide dilution, ultrasonic measurements of subcutaneous fat depth and eyemuscle area, and body condition score were all considered to be potentially useful predictors of body composition. Combinations of techniques offered better predictions than did any single index. Using a combination of measurements it was possible to predict body fat and protein with a residual s.d. of 13·1 kg and 3·15 kg respectively. Breed differences in the partition of fat among the main adipose tissue depots necessitated the development of specific prediction equations for body fat based on condition score and subcutaneous fat depth for different breeds. Equations remain to be developed for predicting body composition in cows in different physiological states.


2019 ◽  
Vol 240 (2) ◽  
pp. 271-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Zhao ◽  
Chunfang Zhu ◽  
Meng Lu ◽  
Chi Chen ◽  
Xiaomin Nie ◽  
...  

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are an ideal therapy for type 2 diabetes and, as of recently, for obesity. In contrast to visceral fat, subcutaneous fat appears to be protective against metabolic diseases. Here, we aimed to explore whether liraglutide, a GLP-1RA, could redistribute body fat via regulating lipid metabolism in different fat depots. After being fed a high-fat diet for 8 weeks, 50 male Wistar and Goto-Kakizaki rats were randomly divided into a normal control group, a diabetic control group, low- and high-dose liraglutide-treated groups and a diet-control group. Different doses of liraglutide (400 μg/kg/day or 1200 μg/kg/day) or an equal volume of normal saline were administered to the rats subcutaneously once a day for 12 weeks. Body composition and body fat deposition were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and MRI. Isotope tracers were infused to explore lipid metabolism in different fat depots. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot analyses were conducted to evaluate the expression of adipose-related genes. The results showed that liraglutide decreased visceral fat and relatively increased subcutaneous fat. Lipogenesis was reduced in visceral white adipose tissue (WAT) but was elevated in subcutaneous WAT. Lipolysis was also attenuated, and fatty acid oxidation was enhanced. The mRNA expression levels of adipose-related genes in different tissues displayed similar trends after liraglutide treatment. In addition, the expression of browning-related genes was upregulated in subcutaneous WAT. Taken together, the results suggested that liraglutide potentially redistributes body fat and promotes browning remodeling in subcutaneous WAT to improve metabolic disorders.


1989 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 275-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Teixeira ◽  
R. Delfa ◽  
F. Colomer-Rocher

ABSTRACTThe relationships between body fat depots and body condition score (BCS) were determined in 52 adult Rasa Aragonesa ewes aged 10 (s.d. 2) years and ranging in BCS from 1·5 to 4·5. BCS of each ewe was assessed by three people, the repeatability within individuals being 90% and between individuals 80%. The ewes were weighed before slaughter. After slaughter the omental, mesenteric, kidney and pelvic fat were separated and weighed. The fat of the left side of the carcass was separated into subcutaneous and intermuscular depots. The relationship between live weight and BCS was semilogarithmic and those between fat depots and BCS were logarithmic. Regression analysis was also used to describe the relationships between the various fat depots and BCS or live weight. Of the variation in total fat weight, proportionately 0·90 was accounted for by variations in BCS, while 0·84 was accounted for by variations in live weight. For individual fat depots proportionately 0·86 to 0·90 of the variation was accounted for by variation in BCS and 0·69 to 0·79 by variation in live weight. BCS was a better predictor than live weight of the weight of both total body fat and the individual fat depots.A curvilinear regression between BCS and live weight showed that the increases in live weight for a unit change in BCS was 7, 10, 12 and 16 kg for each one point increase in BCS from 1 to 5 respectively.The tail fat depot (tail fatness score) was assessed in the same ewes by score on a three-point scale. Of the variation in the weight of individual fat depots, proportionately 0·79 to 0·86 was accounted for by variation in tail fatness score. Thus the tail fatness score could be used as an additional method of assessing body condition in the Aragonesa breed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 520 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Casal ◽  
A. L. Astessiano ◽  
A. C. Espasandin ◽  
A. I. Trujillo ◽  
P. Soca ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of controlling the grazing intensity of native pastures, through the herbage allowances (HA) on body composition (water, protein, and fat) of beef cows of different cow genotype (CG; purebred: Angus and Hereford; PU, and crossbred: reciprocal F1; CR). Mature beef cows (n = 32) were used in a complete randomised block design with a factorial arrangement of HA (2.5 vs 4 kg DM/day; LO vs HI) and CG (PU vs CR). The experiment was conducted during 3 years and at the end of the third year at 150, 210, and 240 ± 10 days of gestation and 190 ± 10 days postpartum body composition was estimated using the urea dilution technique. At 192 ± 10 days postpartum cows were slaughtered and all tissues and organs were weighed and samples were collected for chemical composition analyses. During the winter gestation period, body condition score was greater (P < 0.05) in HI than LO cows and in CR than PU cows. Relative body water (g/kg of empty bodyweight) was greater (P ≤ 0.02) in HI than LO cows and in CR than PU cows, whereas relative body protein did not differ between HI and LO, but tended (P = 0.10) to be greater in CR than PU cows. In contrast, relative body fat tended (P = 0.10) to be greater and gross energy content was greater (P < 0.01) in HI than LO cows, whereas they did not differ between CR and PU cows. Relative body water increased (P < 0.01) from 150 to 210 days of gestation for all cows whereas relative body fat decreased (P < 0.05) and body protein increased (P < 0.05) from 150 to 210 days of gestation in PU but not in CR cows. These results suggest that HI maintained greater body condition score and retained gross energy content when compared with LO cows, and CG affected not only body composition (greater body fat and protein in CR than PU cows) but also composition of mobilised/retained weight during the winter gestation period with a greater protein tissue mobilisation in CR than PU cows.


2004 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 153-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine M. Williams

Differences in whole-body lipid metabolism between men and women are indicated by lower-body fat accumulation in women but more marked accumulation of fat in the intra-abdominal visceral fat depots of men. Circulating blood lipid concentrations also show gender-related differences. These differences are most marked in premenopausal women, in whom total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations are lower and HDL-cholesterol concentration is higher than in men. Tendency to accumulate body fat in intra-abdominal fat stores is linked to increased risk of CVD, metabolic syndrome, diabetes and other insulin-resistant states. Differential regional regulation of adipose tissue lipolysis and lipogenesis must underlie gender-related differences in the tendency to accumulate fat in specific fat depots. However, empirical data to support current hypotheses remain limited at the present time because of the demanding and specialist nature of the methods used to study adipose tissue metabolism in human subjects. In vitro and in vivo data show greater lipolytic sensitivity of abdominal subcutaneous fat and lesser lipolytic sensitivity of femoral and gluteal subcutaneous fat in women than in men. These differences appear to be due to fewer inhibitory α adrenergic receptors in abdominal regions and greater α adrenergic receptors in gluteal and femoral regions in women than in men. There do not appear to be major gender-related differences in rates of fatty acid uptake (lipogenesis) in different subcutaneous adipose tissue regions. In visceral fat rates of both lipolysis and lipogenesis appear to be greater in men than in women; higher rates of lipolysis may be due to fewer α adrenergic receptors in this fat depot in men. Fatty acid uptake into this depot in the postprandial period is approximately 7-fold higher in men than in women. Triacylglycerol concentrations appear to be a stronger cardiovascular risk factor in women than in men, with particular implications for cardiovascular risk in diabetic women. The increased triacylglycerol concentrations observed in women taking hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) may explain the paradoxical findings of increased rates of CVD in women taking HRT that have been reported from recent primary and secondary prevention trials of HRT.


2008 ◽  
Vol 122 (3) ◽  
pp. 253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerry L. Nicholson ◽  
William J. Peterson ◽  
Warren B. Ballard

The relationships among locations of body fats have not been thoroughly examined in White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus). We measured bone marrow fat (n = 2995), back fat (n = 1018), kidney fat (n = 2076), and xiphoid fat (n = 1246) levels of White-tailed Deer kills from Cook and Lake counties in northeastern Minnesota during 1974-1990. For each dead deer we determined age, sex, date, and causes of mortality. All of the fat measures were correlated to varying degrees. Generally all fat measurements peaked in late autumn and subsequently began declining and reached their lowest levels in May. Fat content was negatively correlated with winter severity. Causes of mortality included predation, poaching, accidental, unknown, and auto-collisions. Predated animals had lower bone marrow (-7.42 ± 3.92) and 0.165 ± 2.30 times lower back fat and had higher amounts of kidney fat than those killed by vehicles (0.86 ± 0.43).


1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 597-602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald C. Thomas

There was a close association between pregnancy rates and levels of fat reserves and body weights in Peary caribou (Rangifer tarandus pearyi) collected in the late winters of 1974 through 1977 on several islands in the Canadian Arctic. Pregnancy rates were <8% in adult (>2 years) females weighing <53 kg in March and April, >75% in those weighing >57 kg, and 100% in those >67 kg in weight. Pregnancy rates increased progressively from 7 to 100% as the percentage marrow fat increased from 43 to 79% and the kidney-fat index increased from 24 to 41%. Only heavy (>46 kg) yearling (21 month) females with high fat reserves were pregnant. Reproduction virtually ceased from 1973–1974 to 1975–1976 in Peary caribou on the western Queen Elizabeth Islands because their physical condition was poor. Pregnancy rates were as high as 100% in females in a second population located on Somerset and Prince of Wales islands, and in 1974–1975 four of five yearling females were pregnant. The adjustment of fertility to energy reserves is viewed as an adaptation to conserve energy. It is well developed in Peary caribou whose environment is characterized by a highly variable and often harsh climate in which negative energy balances probably prevail for 8 to 10 months of the year.


1984 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. A. Wright ◽  
A. J. F. Russel

ABSTRACTBody condition score, assessed subjectively on the live animal, was related to the directly determined body composition of 73 mature, non-pregnant, non-lactating cows of Hereford × Friesian, Blue-Grey, Galloway, Luing and British Friesian genotypes. Relationships between condition score and chemically determined body fat were all very highly significant, and considered to be of value for predictive purposes. Differences between genotypes in the proportion of fat stored in the main depots of the body resulted in differences in the relationship between condition score and body fat. British Friesian cows had a higher proportion of their fat in the intra-abdominal depots and the lowest proportion of subcutaneous fat, resulting in their being fatter at any given condition score. Hereford × Friesian cows had the highest proportion of subcutaneous fat and were thus the least fat at any condition score. One unit change in condition score was associated with a change of 2242 (s.e. 103) MJ of body tissue energy in Hereford × Friesian, Blue-Grey, Galloway and Luing cows and 3478 (s.e. 392) MJ in British Friesian cows. These figures may be used to bring a greater degree of precision to the nutritional management of beef and dairy cows.


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