A comparison of the seasonal hormone changes and patterns of growth, voluntary food intake and reproduction in juvenile and adult red deer (Cervus elaphus) and Père David's deer (Elaphurus davidianus) hinds

1989 ◽  
Vol 122 (3) ◽  
pp. 733-745 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. S. I. Loudon ◽  
J. A. Milne ◽  
J. D. Curlewis ◽  
A. S. McNeilly
Keyword(s):  
Food Intake ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Species Differences ◽  
Energy Utilization ◽  
Significant Advance ◽  
Plasma Prolactin ◽  
Père David’S Deer ◽  
Voluntary Food Intake

ABSTRACT Non-domesticated seasonally breeding ungulates exhibit marked seasonal changes in metabolic rate, voluntary food intake (VFI), pelage growth and moult and hormone secretion. It is not known whether these seasonal rhythms are regulated by the same central processes which control the onset and termination of the breeding season. Here we compare two closely related deer species which have significantly different mating and calving seasons. Seasonal changes in VFI, liveweight, coat growth, plasma prolactin and tri-iodothyronine (T3), and the timing of the breeding season were examined over a 15-month period in six adult post-pubertal red and Père David's deer from January to April the following year. The timing of the seasonal changes in prolactin, T3, VFI and coat growth were all significantly advanced by 56, 23, 60 and 54 days respectively in the Père David's deer. The times of onset and termination of the breeding season of Père David's deer were also significantly advanced by 90 days, but in both species, the breeding season was of similar duration (160 ± 5 (s.e.m.) days). Changes in liveweight of adult red deer could be explained by changes in VFI rather than efficiency of utilization. This was not the case in Père David's deer and may indicate seasonal changes in the efficiency of energy utilization. In order to establish whether these species differences develop with age, we undertook a second study in which seasonal changes in VFI, growth, plasma prolactin concentrations and the timing of the onset of the breeding season were recorded for ten red deer and six Père David's deer from 6 to 18 months of age. Both species exhibited a similar decline in VFI in the first autumn of life. Subsequently, the Père David's deer exhibited an advance in the timing of the seasonal peak in VFI and prolactin (21 and 66 days respectively); puberty occurred 3 months earlier than in red deer. The earlier breeding season of the Père David's deer was associated with a significant advance in a range of seasonal endocrine and physiological parameters. These species differences may develop with age. Our data indicate that seasonal patterns of metabolism and growth may be closely linked to those mechanisms which also regulate the onset and termination of the breeding season. Journal of Endocrinology (1989) 122, 733–745

Effects of chronic long-acting bromocriptine treatment on liveweight, voluntary food intake, coat growth and breeding season in non-pregnant red deer hinds

1988 ◽  
Vol 119 (3) ◽  
pp. 413-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Curlewis ◽  
A. S. I. Loudon ◽  
J. A. Milne ◽  
A. S. McNeilly
Keyword(s):  
Food Intake ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Vehicle Group ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Group A ◽  
Long Acting ◽  
Group B ◽  
Voluntary Food Intake

ABSTRACT Seventeen red deer hinds were housed in individual pens and from 28 February until 11 November were injected each week with vehicle (group A; n = 6) or 5 (group B; n = 6) or 12·5 mg (group C; n = 5) of a long-acting formulation of bromocriptine. Liveweight and voluntary food intake (VFI) were recorded for each hind, and blood was collected for determination of progesterone, prolactin, tri-iodothyronine (T3) and cortisol concentrations by radioimmunoassay. Treatment with the high dose of bromocriptine was associated with a significant (P <0·05) reduction in VFI, with the effect being greatest between March and July. There was no treatment effect on liveweight, but there was a significant (P <0·01) interaction between time and treatment due to the faster rate of weight gain in control animals at the beginning of the experiment. Changes in liveweight could be explained by changes in VFI rather than by changes in the efficiency of utilization of intake. Termination of the breeding season was significantly (P <0·01) delayed by 54 days in group C hinds. Growth of the summer coat and subsequent winter coats was delayed by 1 and 3 months respectively in group C hinds, and in groups B and C the duration that animals were in summer coat was increased by about 1 month. The seasonal increase in prolactin concentrations was seen in all groups, but levels were significantly (P <0·05) lower in group C hinds. Concentrations of T3 and cortisol were not affected by bromocriptine. J. Endocr. (1988) 119, 413–420

Seasonal patterns of growth, voluntary food intake and plasma concentrations of prolactin, insulin-like growth factor-1, LH and gonadal steroids in male and female pre-pubertal red deer (Cervus elaphus) reared in either natural photoperiod or constant daylength

1996 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 605-613 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. L. Adam ◽  
C. E. Kyle ◽  
P. Young
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Plasma Testosterone ◽  
Plasma Prolactin ◽  
Insulin Like Growth Factor ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Natural Photoperiod ◽  
Lh Secretion ◽  
Voluntary Food Intake

AbstractRed deer calves were reared from birth to 16 months in either constant intermediate 12L: 12D daylength (ID) or in natural photoperiod (NP) (four males and four females per group) to investigate effects on the somatotropic and reproductive axes, and to compare responses between the seres. Measurements, starting from 3 months (September), were made each week of live weight (LW), voluntary food intake (VFI), plasma prolactin, plasma insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and plasma progesterone (females), and every 2 months of pulsatile LH secretion, plasma testosterone (males), responses to exogenous GnRH, and antler development (males).Both sexes in ID compared with NP had significantly higher LW gain (males, P < 0·001; females, P < 0·01) and VFI (P < 0·001) between winter solstice (WS) and spring equinox (SE), and VFI between SE and summer solstice (SS) (males, P < 0·05; females P < 0·01). Both sexes had significantly lower plasma prolactin concentrations in ID than in NP (males, P < 0·05; females, P < 0·01) between SE and SS. However, plasma IGF-1 was only significantly altered in males, being significantly higher in ID than NP between WS and SE (P<0·01). ID and NP females showed no significant differences in pulsatile LH secretion nor in the timing of pubertal ovulation. However, ID compared with NP males at 10 months (just after SE) had higher LH and testosterone pulse frequencies (P < 0·01), and at 12 months (just before SS) had higher mean testosterone concentrations (P < 0·01) and testosterone response to GnRH challenge (P<0·001). ID antlers hardened earlier at 11 months than NP antlers at 14 months (P < 0·001).Thus ID compared with NP in both sexes prevented the winter reduction in growth and appetite and the summer elevation in prolactin secretion, and in males, but not in females, stimulated higher IGF-1 secretion in winter, an earlier increase in LH pulse frequency, and an earlier increase in gonadal steroid production. This study has therefore revealed some intriguing similarities and contrasts in the responses to photoperiod shown by young male and female deer.

The rôles of photoperiod and nutrition in the seasonal increases in growth and insulin-like growth factor-1 secretion in male red deer

2001 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 305-311 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Webster ◽  
I. D. Corson ◽  
R. P. Littlejohn ◽  
S. K. Martin ◽  
J. M. Suttie
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Young Male ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Plasma Prolactin ◽  
Insulin Like Growth Factor

AbstractYoung male red deer follow a seasonal growth pattern that can be shifted by altering the photoperiod they experience. An increase in photoperiod to 16 h of light per day (16L : 8D) during winter advances the onset of rapid growth and high food intake that normally commences in spring. These changes are associated with increased growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) secretion. The GH/IGF-1 axis is acutely sensitive to the level of nutrition and the relative rôles of photoperiod and nutrition in determining the spring IGF-1 rise is unknown. The present experiment set out to examine this by exposing two groups of deer (no. = 8 per group) to a photoperiod shift during their 1st year of life (16L : 8D from 2 June), designed to cause accelerated growth and increased food intake after approximately 7 weeks. However, after 6 weeks the food intake (pellets containing 11 MJ metabolizable energy and 160 g crude protein per kg dry matter (DM)) of one group (LDRES) was clamped, thereby preventing the intake component of the response. The intake of the other group (LDAL) remained ad libitum for a further 12 weeks until 6 October, when the experiment concluded.During the first 6 weeks of 16L : 8D, growth rate (118 (s.e. 15·4) g/day) and food intake (1·37 (s.e. 0·031) kg DM per head per day) did not differ between the groups. Food intake following the clamp in LDRES averaged 1·40 (s.e. 0·015) kg per head per day. The intake of LDAL increased 2 weeks after the clamp and thereafter was higher than LDRES (P < 0·001). Food intake of LDAL averaged 2·13 (s.e. 0·051) kg during the nutritional clamp period. Growth rates increased in both groups during the first 3 weeks of the clamp, averaging 237 (s.e. 25·0) g/day, then growth slowed in LDRES and live weights diverged. Growth rates until the end of the experiment (147 (s.e.23·0) g/ day v. 299 (s.e. 12·5) g/day, P < 0·001) and mean live weight over the last 5 weeks of the experiment were lower (P < 0·05) in LDRES than LDAL, weights reaching 88·3 (s.e. 1·86) kg and 97·9 (s.e. 2·74) kg respectively on the final sampling date. Metatarsal bone length grew more in LDAL than in LDRES (3·1 v. 2·2 cm, s.e.d. = 0·23, P < 0·01). Prior to the nutritional clamp, mean plasma prolactin and IGF-1 concentrations increased at 3 and 6 weeks after 16L : 8D respectively, in both groups. Prolactin concentrations were lower in LDRES than LDAL on two occasions, at weeks 3 and 7 after the onset of the nutritional clamp, and IGF-1 concentrations were lower in LDRES than LDAL (676 v. 872 ng/ml, s.e.d. = 73·8, P < 0·05) over the last 7 weeks of sampling.In summary, a photoperiodically driven increase in IGF-1 occurred even when the usual associated increase in food intake was prevented. This indicates that the seasonal IGF-1 rise in red deer is not a consequence of the increased food intake, although the latter appears necessary to maintain elevated IGF-1 concentrations. The rise in IGF-1 may therefore be considered as a component of the photoperiodically entrained seasonal drive to grow, and the increase in food intake a response to satisfy the increased energy demand.

Growth responses in red deer calves and hinds grazing red clover, chicory or perennial ryegrass/white clover swards during lactation

1993 ◽  
Vol 121 (2) ◽  
pp. 255-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. Niezen ◽  
T. N. Barry ◽  
J. Hodgson ◽  
P. R. Wilson ◽  
A. M. Ataja ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Intake ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Total N ◽  
Calf Growth ◽  
Calf Performance ◽  
Voluntary Food Intake

SUMMARYTwo experiments were conducted at the Massey University Deer Unit, New Zealand in 1990 and 1991 to evaluate the performance of lactating red deer hinds and their calves grazing conventional perennial ryegrass-based pastures, red clover or chicory. In both experiments, hind and calf performance was evaluated from 1 month post-parturition over a 2½ month summer period to weaning at 3½ months of age.In Expt 1, hinds and calves were grazed on low (5·4 kg dry matter (DM)/hd/day), medium (10·8) or high (16·4) allowances of red clover, or on a medium allowance of a conventional ryegrass/white clover sward (9·9 DM/hd/day). In Expt 2, hinds and calves grazed equal DM allowances (12 kg DM/hd/day) of perennial ryegrass/white clover, chicory or red clover.Red clover generally had higher organic matter digestibility (OMD) and higher total N than ryegrass/white clover, and when grazed at equal DM allowances, promoted higher voluntary food intake in the hinds, increased calf growth (430 v. 330 g/day) and increased hind liveweight change. Although decreasing the red clover allowance in Expt 1 slightly but non-significantly decreased hind voluntary food intake and decreased both calf and hind liveweight change, all low red clover values were still consistently higher than all ryegrass/white clover values (P < 0·05). In Expt 2, chicory was of higher OMD and ash content than red clover but N content was lower and similar to ryegrass/white clover. Chicory promoted lower levels of calf liveweight change than red clover but higher than ryegrass/white clover. Hind liveweight change on chicory was lower than on red clover and was similar to ryegrass/white clover. It was concluded that red clover offers potential as a special purpose forage for deer production and that further experimental work is needed with chicory.

Chronic treatment with long-acting bromocriptine does not affect duration of the breeding season, voluntary food intake, body weight, or wool growth in the Scottish blackface ewe

1991 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
JD Curlewis ◽  
AM Sibbald ◽  
JA Milne ◽  
AS McNeilly
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Chronic Treatment ◽  
Vehicle Group ◽  
Plasma Prolactin ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Long Acting ◽  
Group B ◽  
Group D ◽  
Voluntary Food Intake

The aim of this study was to determine whether suppression of the seasonal increase in prolactin concentrations by chronic treatment with the dopamine agonist bromocriptine would affect onset of anoestrus, voluntary food intake, body weight, and wool growth in a seasonal breed of sheep. Groups of eight Scottish Blackface ewes were injected i.m. each week with either the vehicle (Group A) or 2.0 mg (Group B), 6.0 mg (Group C), or 18.0 mg (Group D) of bromocriptine in a long-acting formulation, commencing on 18 January and terminating on 25 July (midwinter to midsummer in the northern hemisphere). Immediately before the bromocriptine injection, blood samples were taken for progesterone and prolactin determination. Voluntary food intakes were measured daily, and body weights were recorded every fortnight. Estimates of wool growth were made by weighing wool clipped from a measured area of skin once a month. Treatment had no effect on onset of anoestrus, voluntary food intake, body weight, or wool growth. Plasma prolactin concentrations increased significantly in all groups during the treatment period. From January to April, all doses of bromocriptine significantly reduced prolactin concentrations but later in the study (May and June) prolactin was significantly suppressed in Group D only, although even in this group prolactin concentrations increased between March and June. Pituitary prolactin content, measured at the end of the study in July, was also suppressed by bromocriptine. The gradual increase in prolactin concentrations in ewes receiving chronic bromocriptine was further investigated by treating a fifth group of ewes (Group E) with 18.0 mg of long-acting bromocriptine each week, commencing on 20 June.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Photoperiodic requirements for rapid growth in young male red deer

1998 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 363-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Webster ◽  
I. D. Corson ◽  
R. P. Littlejohn ◽  
S. K. Stuart ◽  
J. M. Suttie
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Rapid Growth ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Young Male ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Reproductive Development ◽  
The Other ◽  
Plasma Prolactin ◽  
Lower Amplitude

AbstractWinter growth of young male red deer can be increased by exposure to 16 h of light (L) and 8 h of dark (D) per day (16L: 8D). This study tested the duration of photoperiod required for this growth response, determined if the time to reach slaughter weight can be reduced and monitored plasma IGF-1, prolactin and reproductive development. Fifty male calves were allocated to five equal groups. Four groups were housed indoors and for 33 weeks from the winter solstice (22 June, southern hemisphere) until 11 February were placed under either 16L: 8D (16L), 13·25L: 10·75D (13L), 10·751:13·25D (111) or 8L: 16D (8L) photoperiods. The fifth group of deer (OC) remained outside in a gravelled enclosure. All groups were given a pelleted diet ad libitum. Group food intake was recorded daily, individual live weight was measured weekly and testes diameter and blood samples taken at weekly or 2-week intervals.Plasma prolactin concentrations in 16L increased within 4 weeks of treatment and were different (P < 0·001) between groups from 14 August to 4 September. IGF-1 increased in both 16L and 13L 4 weeks after treatments and then increased further in 16L above that of 13L (P < 0·01). All groups grew at the same rate for the first 7 weeks. 16L then gained more weight (P < 0·001) than the other groups over the next 19 weeks (50·7 kg v. 38·5 for 13L, 35·7 for 11L, 37·0 for 8L and 37·4 for OC; s.e.d. 3·76). Food intake was positively related to growth rate in a similar way among the inside groups (P < 0·001), however there was a higher energy requirement outdoors (P < 0·05). A target live weight for slaughter of 95 kg was reached 7 weeks earlier for 16L than the other groups (P < 0·01). Testes diameter of 16L was larger than in the other groups from 13 November until 24 December (P < 0·001). The growth oflSL slowed from 1 January while that of OC increased and the live weight ofOC was equal to 16L by the end of the experiment. OC also had the largest testes diameter from 5 February onwards (P < 0·01). The live-weight increase in OC was associated with increases in both prolactin and IGF-1 levels.This study confirmed that 16L: 8D stimulates rapid growth of young male red deer during winter for sufficient time to achieve an earlier slaughter date. The live-weight advantage was lost by late summer however. The increased growth rate was mediated by food intake and associated with increases in IGF-1 and prolactin and earlier reproductive development. Photoperiods of 13 h of light per day or less did not stimulate growth and increases in IGF-1 and prolactin were of a lower amplitude than under 16L: 8D.

Photoperiodic entrainment of seasonal changes in appetite and growth in pony colts

1998 ◽  
Vol 1998 ◽  
pp. 133-133
Author(s):  
Z. Fuller ◽  
J.E. Cox ◽  
C. McG. Argo
Keyword(s):  
Food Intake ◽  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Environmental Pressures ◽  
Ambient Temperatures ◽  
Forage Availability ◽  
Photoperiodic Regime ◽  
Gross Energy ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Pelleted Diet ◽  
Voluntary Food Intake

During winter, voluntary food intake (VFI) and growth decreased in light horse weanlings given ad libitum access to a forage/concentrate diet (Cymbaluk et al, 1989). These changes were attributed to decreased ambient temperatures. However, photoperiodically entrained seasonal changes in VFI and growth are documented in other Northern ungulates (Moen, 1978) and may comprise an adaptation to changes in forage availability. Throughout their evolution, horses experienced similar environmental pressures and may demonstrate similar photoperiodic adaptations. This study characterised changes in VFI and growth in pony colts maintained under an artificial photoperiodic regime.Seven, 2 year-old pony colts of Welsh Mountain type (182.4 ± 5.4 kg), were obtained from pasture (53°N). Animals were individually housed in loose-boxes, within a light-proof building. Measured quantities of a complete pelleted diet (gross energy = 16.7 MJ.kgDM-1), calculated to exceed appetite by at least 1 kg, were offered daily.

Photoperiodic entrainment of seasonal changes in appetite and growth in pony colts

1998 ◽  
Vol 1998 ◽  
pp. 133-133
Author(s):  
Z. Fuller ◽  
J.E. Cox ◽  
C. McG. Argo
Keyword(s):  
Food Intake ◽  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Environmental Pressures ◽  
Ambient Temperatures ◽  
Forage Availability ◽  
Photoperiodic Regime ◽  
Gross Energy ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Pelleted Diet ◽  
Voluntary Food Intake

During winter, voluntary food intake (VFI) and growth decreased in light horse weanlings given ad libitum access to a forage/concentrate diet (Cymbaluk et al, 1989). These changes were attributed to decreased ambient temperatures. However, photoperiodically entrained seasonal changes in VFI and growth are documented in other Northern ungulates (Moen, 1978) and may comprise an adaptation to changes in forage availability. Throughout their evolution, horses experienced similar environmental pressures and may demonstrate similar photoperiodic adaptations. This study characterised changes in VFI and growth in pony colts maintained under an artificial photoperiodic regime.Seven, 2 year-old pony colts of Welsh Mountain type (182.4 ± 5.4 kg), were obtained from pasture (53°N). Animals were individually housed in loose-boxes, within a light-proof building. Measured quantities of a complete pelleted diet (gross energy = 16.7 MJ.kgDM-1), calculated to exceed appetite by at least 1 kg, were offered daily.

Seasonal changes in weight gain, growth hormone, and thyroid hormones in male red deer (Cervus elaphus atlanticus)

1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (11) ◽  
pp. 2577-2581 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morten Ryg ◽  
Rolf Langvatn
Keyword(s):  
Growth Hormone ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Thyroid Hormones ◽  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Antler Growth ◽  
Gain Peak

To elucidate possible endocrine mechanisms in the control of the weight cycle of red deer, we recorded seasonal changes in the concentrations of growth hormone (GH), thyroxine (T4), and triiodothyronine (T3) in serum. T3 and T4 were analyzed with specific radioimmunoassays, GH was analyzed with a hetereologous radioimmunoassay. Changes in the levels of these hormones were compared with changes in weight gain. T3 levels were high in summer and low in winter, corresponding to changes in weight gain. Peak values (1.75–4.82 nmol/L) were found in May or June, nadirs occurred in April (0.22–1.78 nmol/L) or October–November (0–1.19 nmol/L). GH levels increased to peak values, 20–53 ng/mL, in April to June, but were low during most of the period of fast weight gain. There were no consistent changes in T4 levels corresponding to the weight cycle. We conclude that the GH peaks following the casting of old antlers may be related to the onset of antler growth. Seasonal changes in T3 levels may be secondary to changes in food intake.

scholarly journals Contrary seasonal changes of rates of nutrient uptake, organ mass, and voluntary food intake in red deer (Cervus elaphus)

2015 ◽  
Vol 309 (3) ◽  
pp. R277-R285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walter Arnold ◽  
Christoph Beiglböck ◽  
Marion Burmester ◽  
Maria Guschlbauer ◽  
Astrid Lengauer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Intake ◽  
Energy Expenditure ◽  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Ussing Chamber ◽  
Thrifty Phenotype ◽  
Visceral Organs ◽  
Small Intestines ◽  
Voluntary Food Intake

Northern ungulates acclimatize to winter conditions with restricted food supply and unfavorable weather conditions by reducing energy expenditure and voluntary food intake. We investigated in a study on red deer whether rates of peptide and glucose transport in the small intestines are also reduced during winter as part of the thrifty phenotype of winter-acclimatized animals, or whether transport rates are increased during winter in order to exploit poor forage more efficiently. Our results support the latter hypothesis. We found in a feeding experiment that total energy intake was considerably lower during winter despite ad libitum feeding. Together with reduced food intake, mass of visceral organs was significantly lower and body fat reserves were used as metabolic fuel in addition to food. However, efficacy of nutrient absorption seemed to be increased simultaneously. Extraction of crude protein from forage was higher in winter animals, at any level of crude protein intake, as indicated by the lower concentration of crude protein in feces. In line with these in vivo results, Ussing chamber experiments revealed greater electrogenic responses to both peptides and glucose in the small intestines of winter-acclimatized animals, and peptide uptake into jejunal brush-border membrane vesicles was increased. We conclude that reduced appetite of red deer during winter avoids energy expenditure for unproductive search of scarcely available food and further renders the energetically costly maintenance of a large gut and visceral organs unnecessary. Nevertheless, extraction of nutrients from forage is more efficient in the winter to attenuate an inevitably negative energy balance.

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