Effect of sex and seasons of the year on hematologic and serum biochemical variables of captive brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira)

Physiological response of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) during stalking hunts depending on age

BACKGROUND

The European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) is a species particularly reactive to all kinds of negative stimuli. Hunting activity is one of the most potent stressors that disturbs the welfare of wild animals. During stress, various endocrine responses are elicited to improve the physical performance of the affected individual. A commonly assessed hormone for overcoming stressful situations is cortisol (CORT). In this study, plasma CORT levels in roe deer were assessed during the season of the most intense stalking hunts in Poland (summer vs. late autumn), the sex of the harvested animals (males vs. females), and age of harvest animal. In addition, the health status of the roe doe was evaluated on the basis of selected indices of blood chemistry, which could be associated with circulating cortisol levels.

RESULTS

The mean cortisol levels were 58.066 ng/ml in the male group (summer) and 27.694 ng/ml in the female group (late autumn). Higher CORT levels were associated with a significantly lower of total cholesterol, lactate dehydrogenase, and uric acid (p < 0.05). Moreover, the mean concentration of uric acid was negatively correlated with the level of CORT in the male and female groups (p < 0.05). Together with the increase in mean CORT level, the HDL cholesterol of all the tested animals increased significantly (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher CORT in males during the summer than in females during the late autumn were most likely due to the arousal with the mating season. The level of CORT increased with the animals' age. Uric acid and age are both predictors of roe deer's serum CORT level.

Haematological and chosen biochemical parameter assessment of the antioxidant system in red deer (Cervus elaphus) blood in early and late pregnancy

Introduction

The aim of this study was to investigate changes in haematological parameters and the antioxidant system in the early and late pregnancy of red deer (Cervus elaphus).

Material and Methods

Blood samples were collected from 30 red deer females 50 days after impregnation and 40 days before calving. Complete blood counts and stained blood smears were assessed. Paraoxonase 1 (PON1), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR) activities, glutathione disulphide (GSSG), total glutathione, total bilirubin, total protein, albumin, uric acid, malondialdehyde (MDA), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides, cholesterol levels and total antioxidant status (TAS) were measured.

Results

The haematological characteristics of blood collected in the third trimester showed higher haemoglobin levels, haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume (P < 0.05) and a lower mean cell haemoglobin concentration (P < 0.05) in comparison to samples collected on the 50^th day after mating. Activity of CAT and MDA, LDL, and triglyceride levels were lower while GR, GSSG, total glutathione, total protein and BHB levels were increased in blood samples drawn in the third trimester compared with the first trimester blood samples. There were no changes in SOD, PON1 activities, TAS, bilirubin, albumin, HDL, cholesterol or uric acid concentrations.

Conclusion

Red deer’s compensatory mechanisms facilitate its optimal adaptation to seasonal changes evidenced by mild pronounced haematological disturbances and an effective antioxidant system during pregnancy.

Physiological, Biochemical, and Growth Parameters of Fogera Cattle Calves to Heat Stress during Different Seasons in Sub-Humid Part of Ethiopia

Simple Summary

Evaluation of Fogera cattle breed during the different seasons would help to determine their response to heat stress. This would assist in designing intervention strategies for the anticipated climate change. Therefore, this study aimed to determine physiological, hematological, biochemical, and growth parameters of Fogera cattle calves to heat stress in different seasons. We observed that the heart rate and respiration rate were increased by six beats per minute and four breaths per minute when the temperature-humidity index increased from 66 to 78, respectively. The positive relationship between the temperature–humidity index and physiological parameters further confirms that calves were good at thermoregulation at a temperature–humidity index value of 66. Thus, the temperature-humidity index value of 66 can be considered as optimum for high weight gain and normal physiological response to heat stress in Fogera cattle calves under their current production system. However, some more amelioration strategies such as better nutrition, availability of shade, and routine health management practice will further strengthen the resilience of the breed to heat stress in the future.

Abstract

Fogera cattle are among indigenous breeds of cattle in the northern part of Ethiopia. However, their response to heat stress (HS) under different seasonal variations has not been well investigated. This study was aimed to determine physiological, hematological, biochemical, and growth parameters of Fogera cattle calves to HS during dry season, short rainy, and long rainy. A total of 72 calves (24 for each season) that were 6 months of age with an equal number of males and females were evaluated for physiological, hematological, biochemical, and growth parameters. Daily ambient temperature (AT) and relative humidity (RH) were recorded two times per day during the study periods from which the daily average temperature–humidity index (THI) was calculated. The study revealed higher AT and THI during dry and short seasons while higher RH was observed during the long rainy season. Physiological parameters except rectal temperature were affected by the seasons. Hematological parameters were also affected by season except for packed cell volume. Biochemical and growth parameters were also significantly affected by the seasons. THI was positively related with physiological but negatively with growth parameters. Thus, the THI value of 66 can be considered as optimum for high weight gain and normal physiological response to HS in Fogera cattle calves under their current production system.

Indicadores biológicos séricos em veado-campeiro ( Ozotoceros bezoarticus bezoarticus, Linnaeus 1758) de vida livre do Pantanal Sul-Mato-Grossense

RESUMO O objetivo com este estudo foi estabelecer os intervalos de referência de diferentes analitos séricos em Ozotoceros bezoarticus bezoarticus de vida livre. Foram coletadas amostras de sangue de 54 fêmeas e 14 machos adultos, capturados no Pantanal de Mato Grosso do Sul. A determinação das concentrações de cálcio total, albumina, colesterol total, creatinina, glicose, fósforo, proteína total, triglicerídeos e ureia séricas e a atividade das enzimas alanina aminotransferase, aspartato aminotransferase, creatina quinase fração MB e fosfatase alcalina foi realizada em equipamento automático. Valores de globulinas, cálcio total e proporções (razões) entre analitos foram realizados por meio de cálculo matemático. Esta é a primeira descrição do intervalo de referência de parâmetros bioquímicos séricos em veado-campeiro de vida livre do Pantanal de Mato Grosso do Sul. O tamanho da amostra e a distribuição dos dados indicam que os valores médios obtidos são representativos e podem ser usados para a monitorização da saúde, do estado nutricional e do diagnóstico de enfermidades nesse estrato populacional.