1
|
Vuillaume B, Richard JH, Hamel S, Taillon J, Festa-Bianchet M, Côté SD. Birth date determines early calf survival in migratory caribou. Oecologia 2023; 202:819-830. [PMID: 37640888 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-023-05441-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
The decline of most caribou (Rangifer tarandus) populations underlines the need to understand the determinants of key demographic parameters. In migratory caribou, we have limited information on rates and drivers of pre-weaning mortality. We fitted 60 pregnant females of the Rivière-aux-Feuilles caribou herd with GPS camera collars to track the survival of calves from birth to weaning in 2016-2018. Over the three years, calf survival rate before weaning, i.e. to 01-Sep, approximately three months of age, was 0.63 (CI 0.50-0.77). Summer mortality risk was mainly influenced by calf birth date, with calves born earlier in the calving season having a lower mortality risk than those born later. Mortality also increased when calves experienced low or high temperature during calving. This study provides the first estimates of pre-weaning survival of migratory caribou calves in this herd, illustrating the value of new technologies to collect data otherwise difficult to obtain in widely distributed migratory populations. This approach can easily be extended to other large herbivores and predators. Our study brings new insights on how climate change may affect summer juvenile survival given the increased temperatures and faster changes in plant phenology expected in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Vuillaume
- Département de Biologie, Caribou Ungava, Centre d'Études Nordiques, Université Laval, 1045, Ave. de la Médecine, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada.
| | - Julien H Richard
- Département de Biologie, Caribou Ungava, Centre d'Études Nordiques, Université Laval, 1045, Ave. de la Médecine, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Sandra Hamel
- Département de Biologie, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Joëlle Taillon
- Ministère des Forêts de la Faune et des Parcs, Québec, QC, G1S 2L2, Canada
| | - Marco Festa-Bianchet
- Département de Biologie, Caribou Ungava, Centre d'Études Nordiques, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, J1K 2 R1, Canada
| | - Steeve D Côté
- Département de Biologie, Caribou Ungava, Centre d'Études Nordiques, Université Laval, 1045, Ave. de la Médecine, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Evidence of three distinct lactation stages in nursing gazelles: implications on maternal behaviour assessment. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
|
3
|
Lisboa PC, Miranda RA, Souza LL, Moura EG. Can breastfeeding affect the rest of our life? Neuropharmacology 2021; 200:108821. [PMID: 34610290 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The breastfeeding period is one of the most important critical windows in our development, since milk, our first food after birth, contains several compounds, such as macronutrients, micronutrients, antibodies, growth factors and hormones that benefit human health. Indeed, nutritional, and environmental alterations during lactation, change the composition of breast milk and induce alterations in the child's development, such as obesity, leading to the metabolic dysfunctions, cardiovascular diseases and neurobehavioral disorders. This review is based on experimental animal models, most of them in rodents, and summarizes the impact of an adequate breast milk supply in view of the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) concept, which has been proposed by researchers in the areas of epidemiology and basic science from around the world. Here, experimental advances in understanding the programming during breastfeeding were compiled with the purpose of generating knowledge about the genesis of chronic noncommunicable diseases and to guide the development of public policies to deal with and prevent the problems arising from this phenomenon. This review article is part of the special issue on "Cross talk between periphery and brain".
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patricia C Lisboa
- Laboratory of Endocrine Physiology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Roberto Alcantara Gomes Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Rosiane A Miranda
- Laboratory of Endocrine Physiology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Roberto Alcantara Gomes Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Luana L Souza
- Laboratory of Endocrine Physiology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Roberto Alcantara Gomes Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Egberto G Moura
- Laboratory of Endocrine Physiology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Roberto Alcantara Gomes Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Pérez-Barbería FJ, García AJ, López-Quintanilla M, Landete-Castillejos T. Pelt Biting as a Practical Indicator of Social and Environment Stress in Farmed Red Deer. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11113134. [PMID: 34827865 PMCID: PMC8614323 DOI: 10.3390/ani11113134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Agonistic behavioural interactions play a decisive role in the competition for food, space, mating opportunities, and establishing social rank. We propose the use of the number of bites on the pelt of red deer as an index of agonistic interactions between group members. Using behavioural data from a 14-year time series of a captive population of Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus), we found that deer that were of higher social rank, heavier, living in smaller groups, or under no heat stress conditions suffer less pelt bites than those of lower social rank, lighter, living in bigger groups, or under heat stressing conditions. Hinds that gave birth earlier in the parturition period suffered less pelt biting than those that gave birth around the peak of the parturition season. Pelt biting is useful to identify management situations in which deer welfare could be at stake. Abstract Agonistic behavioural interactions play a decisive role in the competition for food, space, mating opportunities, and establishing social rank. We used pelt biting (number of bites on an animal’s body) as a proxy for assessing the intensity of agonistic animal interactions and how it responded to social, population, and heat stress factors. We modelled a 14-year time series of pelt biting records and observational data of agonistic interactions on a population of captive Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus). We found that (i) the higher the social rank of deer, the lower the number of pelt bites received; (ii) increasing heat stress conditions caused deer to suffer more pelt bites; (iii) males received more bites than females; (iv) the heavier the deer, the lower the number of bites on their bodies; (v) the bigger the group, the more bites exhibited on its members; (vi) deer 5–6 years old suffered greater rate of pelt biting than younger or older deer; and (vii) hinds that gave birth earlier in the parturition period suffered less pelt biting than those that gave birth around the peak of the parturition season (p < 0.01 for all effects). Pelt biting is useful to predict management situations in which deer welfare could be at stake.
Collapse
|
5
|
Some aspects of the ethanol stability of red deer milk (Cervus elaphus hispanicus): A comparison with other dairy species. Int Dairy J 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.idairyj.2018.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
|
6
|
PELÁEZ M, SAN MIGUEL A, RODRÍGUEZ-VIGAL C, PEREA R. Climate, female traits and population features as drivers of breeding timing in Mediterranean red deer populations. Integr Zool 2017; 12:396-408. [DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marta PELÁEZ
- Department of Natural Systems and Resources; Technical University of Madrid; Madrid Spain
| | - Alfonso SAN MIGUEL
- Department of Natural Systems and Resources; Technical University of Madrid; Madrid Spain
| | | | - Ramón PEREA
- Department of Natural Systems and Resources; Technical University of Madrid; Madrid Spain
- Department of Biology; Stanford University; Stanford California USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
|
8
|
Engelhardt SC, Weladji RB, Holand Ø, Nieminen M. Allosuckling in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus): A test of the improved nutrition and compensation hypotheses. Mamm Biol 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2015.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
9
|
Malacarne M, Franceschi P, Formaggioni P, Pisani GM, Petrera F, Abeni F, Soffiantini CS, Summer A. Minerals content and distribution in milk from red deer (Cervus elaphus), fallow deer (Dama dama) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). Small Rumin Res 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2015.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
10
|
Engelhardt SC, Weladji RB, Holand Ø, de Rioja CM, Ehmann RK, Nieminen M. Allosuckling in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus): milk-theft, mismothering or kin selection? Behav Processes 2014; 107:133-41. [PMID: 25183610 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2014.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2014] [Revised: 07/23/2014] [Accepted: 08/18/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Allosuckling, the suckling of offspring from females other than their own mother, has been reported in a number of mammalian species, including reindeer. The causes and function of this behaviour are still being investigated. We monitored 25 doe-calf pairs of semi-domestic reindeer Rangifer tarandus over 10 weeks to test three allosuckling/allonursing hypotheses: (1) milk theft, calves opportunistically allosuckle; (2) mismothering, misdirected maternal care; and (3) kin-selected allonursing. A calf soliciting an allosuckling bout was categorized as non-filial (NF), and a calf soliciting a suckling bout from its mother was categorized as filial (F). We recorded 9757 solicitations, of which 5176 were successful F bouts and 1389 were successful NF bouts. The rejection rates were greater for NF than F calves. The proportions of antiparallel positions adopted were greater for F than NF calves. The odds of an allobout were lower for calves arriving 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th than for those arriving 2nd, but the odds did not vary with position adopted and relatedness. Our results provided support to the milk-theft hypothesis, whereas limited support for the mismothering hypothesis was found. Our results did not support the hypothesized kin selection function of allosuckling in reindeer. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: insert SI title.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sacha C Engelhardt
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke St. West, Montreal, QC, Canada H4B 1R6
| | - Robert B Weladji
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke St. West, Montreal, QC, Canada H4B 1R6.
| | - Øystein Holand
- Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, PO Box 5003, 1432 Ås, Norway
| | - Covadonga M de Rioja
- Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute, Reindeer Research Station, 99910 Kaamanen, Finland
| | - Rosina K Ehmann
- Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute, Reindeer Research Station, 99910 Kaamanen, Finland
| | - Mauri Nieminen
- Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute, Reindeer Research Station, 99910 Kaamanen, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Ceacero F, Landete-Castillejos T, García AJ, Estévez JA, Gaspar-López E, Gallego L. Effects of ad libitum mineral consumption in Iberian red deer hinds and calves. ANIMAL PRODUCTION SCIENCE 2010. [DOI: 10.1071/an09078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Minerals are essential nutrients for ungulates because they cannot be synthesised. Lactation is the most mineral-demanding stage for hinds, whereas for calves both the pre- and post-weaning growth periods are important for bone formation, among other processes. Because both physiological effort and hot Mediterranean climate may increase mineral needs even in a situation under an ad libitum high plane of nutrition, we examined the effects of free-choice, single-mineral consumption in red deer hinds and their calves during lactation, and in the calves, from 18 to 56 weeks after lactation. Group M had permanent access to minerals, the control group had no access, whereas the LM and PLM groups of calves had access to minerals only during lactation or after lactation, respectively. Hinds with or without mineral supplements during lactation did not show differences in weight or body condition, neither did female calves of any group during or after lactation. However, after controlling the effect of year, LM male calves achieved greater weight gains during the post-lactation experiment, whereas the PLM and M groups showed negative results in weight at the end of the post-lactation experiment and age of antler growth initiation, respectively. The LM group also achieved higher scores in all the studied first antler variables (length, weight, burr perimeter, and perimeter in the middle of the antler) after controlling the effects of weight and year. The results thus suggest that, under ad libitum access to high-quality food, mineral supplementation is only positive during lactation. However, it cannot be ruled out that minerals may be beneficial in other stages in free-ranging deer.
Collapse
|
12
|
Landete-Castillejos T, García A, Carrión D, Estevez JA, Ceacero F, Gaspar-López E, Gallego L. Age-related body weight constraints on prenatal and milk provisioning in Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) affect allocation of maternal resources. Theriogenology 2008; 71:400-7. [PMID: 18804854 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2008.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2008] [Revised: 06/20/2008] [Accepted: 08/05/2008] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Maternal phenotypic characteristics can influence key life history variables of their offspring through maternal effects. In this study, we examined how body size constraints on maternal weight in yearling and subadult compared to adult hinds (age class effects) affected prenatal (calf birth weight, calf to hind weight ratio) and postnatal (milk) provisioning of Iberian red deer calves. Age correlated with all prenatal and postnatal investment traits except calf gains, although correlations were weaker than those with maternal weight. Once the effect of linear increase in weight with age was removed from models, yearlings showed additional reductions in calf birth weight, calf gains, and milk provisioning. The low-calf birth weight might increase the risk of calf mortality during lactation, as this occurs primarily during the first day of life and is strongly related to birth weight. Yearlings showed a greater prenatal allocation of resources in terms of greater calf to hind weight ratio probably as an extra effort by yearling mothers to balance calf neonatal mortality. It might compensate young mothers to produce low-quality calves while still growing rather than waiting for the uncertain possibility of surviving to the next reproductive season.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T Landete-Castillejos
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC, CSIC, UCLM, JCCM, Sección Albacete, Campus Universitario s/n, 02071 Albacete, Spain.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Ceacero F, Landete-Castillejos T, García AJ, Estévez JA, Gallego L. Kinship Discrimination and Effects on Social Rank and Aggressiveness Levels in Iberian Red Deer Hinds. Ethology 2007. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0310.2007.01427.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
14
|
Landete-Castillejos T, Garcia A, Gallego L. Body weight, early growth and antler size influence antler bone mineral composition of Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus). Bone 2007; 40:230-5. [PMID: 16949898 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2006.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2006] [Revised: 06/22/2006] [Accepted: 07/12/2006] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Researchers have devoted little attention to the possibility that the chemical composition of bone might be variable under normal nutrition conditions. This study assessed antler bone composition of 25 one-year old deer (spikes). Antler content of ash, Ca, P, K, Na, Mg, Fe and Zn was assessed in base and tine, and the mean composition or the difference in composition between tine and base was used to explain variability in antler length, weight and perimeter. In turn, mean composition and difference in concentration of each mineral were related to body measures at 1 year of age, weight at birth, weight at 1 year of age and weight gains during lactation, or between weaning and year of age. Chemical composition differed between base and tine in ash, Ca, P, K, Zn and Fe, but not in Na or Mg. Composition explained a mean variability of 77% in antler length and weight. Body weight and size, in turn, influenced mineral composition. The greatest body effect was that of gains during lactation on principal components analysis factor related to Ca, P and other major minerals such as Na, K or Mg. Antler bone composition is variable in normal conditions and such variability may play a role in biomechanical properties of the antler, but it is also likely to show the nutritional status or physiological effort to grow antlers. Assessing bone composition may emerge as a new useful tool to obtain information regarding bone biology and its bearer in other species including ours.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T Landete-Castillejos
- Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología Agroforestal, ETSIA, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), 02071 Albacete, Spain.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Gómez JÁ, Landete-Castillejos T, García AJ, Gallego L. Importance of growth during lactation on body size and antler development in the Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus). Livest Sci 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2006.04.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
|
16
|
García AJ, Landete-Castillejos T, Carrión D, Gaspar-López E, Gallego L. Compensatory extension of gestation length with advance of conception in red deer (Cervus elaphus). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 305:55-61. [PMID: 16358278 DOI: 10.1002/jez.a.244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Calving date in many mammals is matched to the time of greatest food availability. Out of season calving results in heavy penalties in terms of own and offspring survival or body condition. This study examined whether gestation length is affected by advancing fertilisation. Thirty-six red deer hinds (of the Iberian and Scottish subspecies) were subjected to a synchronisation treatment of oestrus, ovulation, and artificial insemination on three dates, with remaining non-pregnant females mated with an intact male in a last group. Gestation was longer the more the fertilisation was advanced; gestation lasted 241.5+/-1.3 days (d) in the first group, 237.4+/-1.2 d in the second, 235.1+/-1.3 d in the third, and 231.2+/-1.6 d in the last. Mean gestation lasted 234.2+/-0.7 d. Hinds gained less weight during gestation the more the fertilisation was advanced. The difference was due at least in part to net body weight of the hind after calving compared to that at mating, and calves did not differ in birth weight. As early born calves suffer greater mortality in the field, this enlargening of gestation might be a compensatory response of the hinds to match calving with food availability. Under natural conditions, similar small modifications of gestation length may help hinds to overcome short-term adverse conditions for calving. Because calf mortality is correlated with birth weight, hinds may have kept calf birth weight constant at the expense of greater body weight loss.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrés José García
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC, CSIC, UCLM, JCCM, Campus Universitario s/n, 02071 Albacete, Spain.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Gallego L, Landete-Castillejos T, Garcia A, Sánchez PJ. Seasonal and Lactational Changes in Mineral Composition of Milk from Iberian Red Deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus). J Dairy Sci 2006; 89:589-95. [PMID: 16428628 DOI: 10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(06)72122-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Milk minerals are important for calf growth, and they have other roles as well, such as immune regulation. This 2-yr study examined content of Ca, P, Mg, Na, K, Fe, and Zn in milk of 54 Iberian red deer hinds through 18 wk of lactation. Mean mineral composition of fresh milk was ash = 1.168 +/- 0.007%, Ca = 2,330 +/- 20 mg/kg, P = 640 +/- 10 mg/kg, K = 1,100 +/- 10 mg/kg, Na = 385 +/- 3 mg/kg, Mg = 138 +/- 1 mg/kg, Zn = 12.5 +/- 0.2 mg/kg, and Fe = 0.65 +/- 0.03 mg/kg. All minerals except Mg varied by week of lactation, but variation was usually <10% except for Fe (83% variation) and Zn (30% variation); both of those minerals increased as lactation proceeded. Increased concentrations of Fe and Zn in later lactation compensated for the reduction in milk production in mid and late lactation such that daily production was less variable for Fe (55% variation) or Zn (79% variation) than for other minerals (118 to 135% variation). Potassium content of milk decreased across time, but that effect occurred primarily during the last few weeks of lactation. Calving later vs. early in the calving season had variable effects on concentrations of different minerals: P, Mg, and K concentrations were not affected; Ca, Mg, and Na were all lower in milk from later calving hinds; and both Fe and Zn had higher concentrations in milk from hinds that calved later in the season. Lactating hinds seem to maintain a more stable daily yield of the microminerals Fe and Zn in milk compared with more variable concentrations of macrominerals as lactation progresses. Because of the essential role of Fe and Zn in immune function, a more stable supply of those minerals might be important to the health of growing red deer calves.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L Gallego
- Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología Agroforestal, ETSIA, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 02071 Albacete, Spain
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Maternal quality and differences in milk production and composition for male and female Iberian red deer calves (Cervus elaphus hispanicus). Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2004. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-004-0848-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
|