Social rank and reproductive performance in a herd of farmed red deer females (Cervus elaphus)

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (9) ◽  
pp. 1642 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Villagrán ◽  
L. Alvarez ◽  
R. Ungerfeld
Keyword(s):  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Social Rank ◽  
Hormonal Treatment ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Offspring Sex Ratio ◽  
The Social ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Rate Female

Hierarchical relationships between individuals determine unequal access to recourses like food and individuals of the other gender, resulting in a higher reproductive success of high-social ranked individuals. Environmental conditions and food availability may determine how strong these effects are. The aim of this work was to determine if social rank of farmed red deer females affect the reproductive results of a hormonal oestrous synchronisation treatment with ad libitum food. The studied responses included the time to oestrus onset, percentage of females that came into oestrus, conception and calving rates, gestation length, and calf gender. The study was performed during autumn on a research farm located in Mexico (20°36ʹ N, 99°55ʹ W). Forty-nine adult red deer females were assigned to two replications of 21 and 28 animals respectively and were allocated into independent paddocks with ad libitum food and water availability. Oestrous cycles were synchronised with a traditional protocol of intravaginal devices impregnated with progesterone. Agonistic behaviours between females were recorded (total = 1626 interactions), hierarchical position (Success Index = SI) of each animal was calculated and individuals were categorised as high (n = 13), medium (n = 20) or low-ranked (n = 16) individuals. Reproductive data were recorded during the 5 days after the oestrous synchronisation treatment and during the calving period. Any of the recorded responses differ between HR, MR and LR females. Female SI, age and bodyweight were not related with the probability of coming into oestrus, result pregnant, and giving birth to a male calf. Thirty-seven (78.5%) females of this study gave birth. From these calves, 15 were males and 22 were females. Due to high percentage of females in oestrus that gave birth (85.7%), it was not possible to detect the relationship between female SI, age, and bodyweight with the conception rate. Female SI, age and bodyweight were unrelated to time to oestrus onset (r2 = 0.09; P = 0.17), and to gestation length (r2 = 0.10; P = 0.20). In conclusion, with ad libitum high quality food, the social rank of red deer hinds did not affect the time to oestrus onset, percentage of females that came into oestrus, gestation length, calving and conception rates, and offspring sex ratio after an oestrous synchronisation hormonal treatment.

scholarly journals Glycolytic potential and ultimate muscle pH values in red deer (Cervus elaphus) and fallow deer (Dama dama)

Rangifer ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Wiklund ◽  
Timothy R. Manley ◽  
Roger P. Littlejohn
Keyword(s):  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Muscle Glycogen ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Glycogen Content ◽  
Biceps Femoris ◽  
Fallow Deer ◽  
Dama Dama ◽  
Triceps Brachii ◽  
Total Glucose ◽  
The Relationship

The ultimate pH value of meat (measured at approx. 24 hours post slaughter) gives information about the technological quality, i.e. shelf life, colour, water-holding properties and tenderness and is a direct consequence of muscle glycogen (energy) levels at slaughter. It may therefore also indicate whether or not the animal has been exposed to stressful energy depleting events prior to slaughter. In the present study, 141 animals (130 red deer (Cervus elaphus) and 11 fallow deer (Dama dama) were included to investigate the relationship between ultimate pH and residual glycogen concentration in red deer and fallow deer M. longissimus. In addition, the muscle glycogen content and ultimate pH values in three red deer muscles (Mm. triceps brachii, longissimus and biceps femoris) were studied. M. triceps brachii had higher ultimate pH and lower glycogen content compared with the other two studied muscles. The frequency of intermediate DFD (5.8≤ pH<6.2) was 5.4% in red deer M. longissimus, compared with 9.1% in fallow deer, while the frequency of DFD (pH≥ 6.2) was much lower in red deer (3.8%) than in fallow deer (54.5%). A curvilinear relationship between ultimate pH and total glucose concentration (glycogen and glucose) 30 min post slaughter in red deer and fallow deer M. longissimus was found. The relationship between muscle pH and lactic acid concentration however, was indicated to be linear. A significant variation in total glucose concentration at ultimate pH below 5.80 was observed, including values in the range from 18 to 123 mmol/kg wet tissue. It was concluded that further studies are needed to further explore the relationship between muscle glycogen content and technological and sensory quality attributes of meat from different deer species.Abstract in Swedish / Sammanfattning:Köttets pH-värde (mätt ca 24 timmar efter slakt) har stor betydelse för den teknologiska kvaliteten som t. ex. hållbarhet, färg, vattenhållande förmåga och mörhet. Glykogenförrådet (energinivån) i djurens muskulatur vid slakt är helt avgörande för köttets slutliga pH-värde. Därför kan pH-värdet också indikera om hanteringen av slaktdjur varit skonsam eller om stora mängder muskelenergi har förbrukats vid stress. I vår undersökning ingick 141 hjortar (130 kronhjortar (Cervus elaphus) och 11 dovhjortar (Dama dama) för att studera sambandet mellan köttets pH-värde och glykogeninnehållet i M. longissimus. Glykogeninnehåll och pH-värden i 3 muskler från kronhjort (Mm. triceps brachii, longissimus och biceps femoris) undersöktes också. M. triceps brachii hade högre pH-värde och lägre glykogeninnehåll jämfört med de två andra musklerna. Det var inte så stor skillnad i frekvensen av intermediär DFD (pH-värden mellan 5,8 og 6,2) mellan de två hjortarterna (5,4% för kronhjort och 9,1% för dovhjort), däremot var frekvensen av DFD (pH-värden över 6,2) mycket låg hos kronhjort (3,8%) jämfört med dovhjort (54,5%). Det fanns ett kurvlinjärt samband mellan slutligt pH-värde i köttet och total glukoskoncentration (glykogen + glukos) mätt i M. longissimus 30 min efter slakt för både kron- och dovhjort. Ett linjärt samband mellan pH-värde och koncentration av mjölksyra i M. longissimus kunde också visas. Vi fann en mycket stor varitation i glukoskoncentration (18−123 mmol/kg våtvikt) när köttets pH-värdet var 5,8 eller lägre. Det behövs fler undersökningar för att vidare klargöra sambanden mellan glykogeninnehåll i muskulaturen och teknologisk och sensorisk kvalitet i olika typer av hjortkött.

Iophenoxic acid as a serum marker for red deer (Cervus elaphus scoticus)

1998 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 649 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. Sweetapple ◽  
G. Nugent
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Serum Concentration ◽  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Technology Development ◽  
Iodine Concentration ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Serum Marker ◽  
Medium Term ◽  
The Relationship

As part of a study investigating the efficacy of toxic foliage baits for controlling red deer in New Zealand, a pen trial was conducted to determine whether red deer could be marked by oral dosing with the serum marker iophenoxic acid. The doses required to mark red deer, retention times, and the relationship between dose and serum concentration of the marker were also investigated. Three groups of three deer were fed baits containing 0.26, 2.32, and 6.10 mg iophenoxic acid per kilogram of bodyweight. Mean serum iodine concentration was significantly greater in deer fed marked baits for at least 40 days after dosing than in deer fed unmarked baits. The level of marking in each group was proportional to the dose, suggesting that iophenoxic acid may be used to quantify the amount of bait consumed by red deer. Iophenoxic acid is, therefore, an effective serum marker for red deer and could be used in short- and medium-term ecological and bait technology development field trials.

Effects of winter feeding level on the performance of red deer calves (Cervus elaphus)

1995 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Brelurut ◽  
M. Theriez ◽  
G. Bechet
Keyword(s):  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Group Treatment ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
High Energy Level ◽  
Feeding Level ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Winter Feeding

The aim of this trial was to determine the effects of a high winter feeding level on the performance of red deer calves from weaning to 15 months of age.Two groups of 10 calves in each group were fed indoors from weaning to turn-out on good quality hay ad libitum. They received concentrates for 197 days, the first group (treatment H) ad libitum, and the second (treatment L) a daily quantity of 616 g dry matter (DM). At turn-out the two lots were grouped together for 149 days on natural pastures containing grass species characteristic of the area.During the indoor period, treatment H calves consumed 2·5 times more concentrate than those in treatment L (272 v. 110 kg DM) and 2·8 times less hay (48 v. 234 kg DM). They weighed 19·6 kg more at turn-out (88·9 v. 69·3 kg). The difference in weight decreased to 8·8 kg at 15 months of age, but varied according to sex. This reduction of the weight gap between groups was due to the better adaptation of treatment L to pasture and to compensatory growth resulting from a higher grass intake after turn-out.It is concluded that despite the good performance of treatment H animals in winter, a high energy level of feeding is only advantageous in certain cases. It is of benefit to animals that are to be slaughtered at 1 year of age and to lateborn calves, and can improve the frame development of females in their first breeding season.

The role of defeat and entrapment (arrested flight) in depression: an exploration of an evolutionary view

1998 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 585-598 ◽  
Author(s):  
PAUL GILBERT ◽  
STEVEN ALLAN
Keyword(s):  
Strong Association ◽  
Social Rank ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Social Hierarchies ◽  
Conflict Situations ◽  
The Social ◽  
Evolutionary View ◽  
Explained Variance ◽  
The Relationship

Background. The social rank theory of psychopathology suggests that with the evolution of social hierarchies various psychobiological mechanisms became attuned to the success or failure in conflict situations. Specifically, subordinates and those who have lost status are at greater risk of pathology than winners and those of higher status. In this theory concepts of defeat and entrapment are seen to be of special relevance to the study of depression. We outline the role of defeat and entrapment within the social rank theory of depression.Methods. New self-report measures of entrapment and defeat were developed and used to test predictions of the social rank theory of depression. Both a sample of students and depressed patients were assessed with these new scales and other social rank measures (e.g. social comparison and submissive behaviour).Results. The entrapment and defeat measures were found to have good psychometric properties and significantly correlated with depression. They were also strongly associated with other rank variables. Defeat maintained a strong association with depression even after controlling for hopelessness (r=0·62), whereas the relationship between hopelessness and depression was substantially reduced when controlling for defeat. Entrapment and defeat added substantially to the explained variance of depression after controlling for the other social rank variables.Conclusions. Defeat and entrapment appear to be promising variables for the study of depression. These variables may also help to develop linkages between human and animal models of psychopathology.

Compensatory extension of gestation length with advance of conception in red deer (Cervus elaphus)

2005 ◽  
Vol 305A (1) ◽  
pp. 55-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrés José García ◽  
Tomás Landete-castillejos ◽  
Débora Carrión ◽  
Enrique Gaspar-lópez ◽  
Laureano Gallego
Keyword(s):  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Gestation Length

The influence of habitat on body size and tooth wear in Scottish red deer (Cervus elaphus)

2015 ◽  
Vol 93 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
F.J. Pérez-Barbería ◽  
S.L. Ramsay ◽  
R.J. Hooper ◽  
E. Pérez-Fernández ◽  
A.H.J. Robertson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Tooth Wear ◽  
Fitness Consequences ◽  
Habitat Differences ◽  
Mineral Components ◽  
Mandible Length ◽  
The Relationship

Body size has profound implications for ecology and life-history traits of mammalian species. Tooth wear is an indicator of food-processing investment and diet properties, with fitness consequences through differences in comminution efficiency, nutrient gain, and senescence. We investigate the relationships between mandible length (a proxy of skeletal body size), molar dentine thickness (a measure of tooth wear), and faecal neutral detergent fibre with residual ash (NDF–ash, a combined proxy of fibre and mineral components in the diet) in 874 male and female red deer (Cervus elaphus L., 1758) from 21 locations in moorland and woodland habitats across Scotland. Significant differences in mandible length occurred between habitats: woodland deer having larger mandibles than moorland deer. Within habitats, larger mandibles were related to higher rates of dentine wear, suggesting increased body size was associated with greater intake and processing of food. Both dentine wear and faecal NDF–ash were higher in moorland deer than in woodland deer, suggesting that fibre and (or) mineral abrasives in the diet may have contributed towards habitat differences in dentine wear. Between habitats, higher dentine wear was not associated with larger mandibles, in contrast to the relationship within habitats, indicating the precedence of additional environmental factors between habitats.

The effect of conception date on gestation length of red deer (Cervus elaphus)

2008 ◽  
Vol 109 (1-4) ◽  
pp. 206-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
I.C. Scott ◽  
G.W. Asher ◽  
J.A. Archer ◽  
R.P. Littlejohn
Keyword(s):  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Conception Date

scholarly journals The Use of RNAi Technology to Interfere with Zfx Gene Increases the Male Rates of Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) Offspring

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Limin Wei ◽  
Jifeng Xi ◽  
Yongsheng Zhang ◽  
Bo Zeng ◽  
Feng Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Zinc Finger Protein ◽  
Recombinant Expression ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Expression Vectors ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Offspring Sex Ratio ◽  
Rnai Technology ◽  
Offspring Sex

Zinc finger protein X-linked (Zfx) was regarded to be a sex determination factor and plays a critical role in spermatogenesis. RNAi is an effective method of silencing Zfx mRNA expression. However, there has been little research on the use of RNAi technology to control the sex of the offspring of red deer (Cervus elaphus). The objective of this study was first to explore an efficient method to alter the red deer offspring sex-ratio by silencing the gene Zfx during spermatogenesis. Three recombinant expression vectors pLL3.7/A, pLL3.7/B, and pLL3.7/C were constructed to interrupt the Zfx gene. The results showed that the expression of Zfx mRNA was significantly silenced by pLL3.7/A (P<0.01), compared with the control group. The group injected with pLL3.7/A produced 94 red deer, including 68 males and 26 females. The male rates (72.34%) were significantly higher than the control groups (P<0.01). Our result suggests that Zfx siRNA is a useful approach to control offspring sex in red deer. This study further confirms that the Zfx gene plays a significant role in the process of X spermatogenesis.

Effect of two growth rates and two forage diets over winter on the performance of red deer stag calves

1990 ◽  
Vol 1990 ◽  
pp. 76-76
Author(s):  
M.H. Davies ◽  
E.M. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
England And Wales ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Upland Conditions ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Forage Diets

Scottish red deer research has defined under hill and upland conditions the relationship that exists between the winter growth rate of stag calves and their performance at grass the following summer (Adam, 1986; Blaxter et al, 1988). With the increasing movement of stag calves to the lowlands of England and Wales, and an expansion in finishing units in these areas, such a relationship needs re-defining to take account of the differences in climate, length of growing season and grass supply. This trial investigates the effect of two growth rates over winter on the overall performance of stag calves, both on hay and silage based rations, under lowland conditions.Forty red deer stag calves approximately 4 months of age and weighing 40 kg liveweight were purchased from Scotland in September 1988. They were housed in one group and fed a common ration of ad libitum hay + 1 kg of a proprietary 18% CP compound per head per day from arrival on 26 September until 9 November 1988.

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