Estimating fat reserves in the brush-tailed possum, Trichosurus vulpecula Kerr (Marsupialia : Phalangeridae)

1970 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 415 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Bamford
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
The Body ◽  
The Other ◽  
Trichosurus Vulpecula ◽  
Marrow Fat ◽  
Fat Depots ◽  
Fat Reserves ◽  
Kidney Fat ◽  
Two Indices ◽  
Total Fat

Two hundred possums were collected from an area in Westland, New Zealand. Their carcasses were macerated and total fat content was determined by chemical means. The reliability of existing indices (visual, kidney fat, back fat, marrow fat) for predicting the proportion of total fat in the body was investigated. Two indices were developed and tested; one based on fat depots in the mesogastrium, the other based on deviations from a standardized weight for length. The index based on weight deviations gives good results if derived from a large sample of animals, and has the advantage that it can be used on live animals under sedation. The marrow fat index gives good results if fat reserves are low, and the mesogastric index does at other times, when estimates are obtained by autopsy of a few animals. Analysis of variance showed that, within the population studied, time of the year and a season-age interaction were the only significant sources of heterogeneity in fat reserves.

Evaluation of several indices for assessment of coyote (Canis latrans) body composition

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (9) ◽  
pp. 1620-1624 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Huot ◽  
Marie-Lazarine Poulle ◽  
Michel Crête
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Canis Latrans ◽  
The Body ◽  
Marrow Fat ◽  
Body Protein ◽  
Fat Reserves ◽  
Kidney Fat ◽  
Kidney Fat Index ◽  
Total Body

The body composition of 27 coyotes (Canis latrans) of different ages and both sexes was determined on the basis of chemical analyses of homogenized samples of viscera, carcass, and skin. Regression analyses were used to identify the best indices for estimating fat (lipid reserves), protein, and water body contents. A combined index based on the kidney fat index and the percentage of femur marrow fat was the best indicator of fat reserves. Body mass (whole or skinned carcass) and eviscerated carcass mass were the best predictors of total body protein and total body water contents. A combination of indices is proposed to provide postmortem or in vivo estimates of coyote body composition.

Deposition of fat in the body of the rat during rehabilitation after early undernutrition

1978 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 201-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia M. Harris ◽  
Elsie M. Widdowson
Keyword(s):  
Complete Recovery ◽  
The Body ◽  
The Other ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Stock Diet ◽  
Fat Cell ◽  
Fat Depots ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Unlimited Access ◽  
Males And Females

1. Male and female rats aged 3 weeks were divided into two groups. One group of each sex was allowed unlimited access to the stock diet, the other group was given the stock diet in restricted amounts for 10 weeks so that the males gained only 19 g and the females 21 g in comparison with 176 g and 116 g for the well-nourished males and females respectively. The undernourished animals were then rehabilitated by being allowed the stock diet ad lib.2. Five animals of each sex were killed at various stages of the experiment, their bodies analysed for fat and nitrogen, and the size and number of fat cells determined in specific fat depots.3. The undernourished rats failed to make a complete recovery and were significantly smaller than the controls of the same sex at 172 d of age when the experiment terminated.4. The previously undernourished rats deposited significantly more fat in their bodies during rehabilitation than the control animals in the same number of days and over the same gain in body-weight.5. There were no significant differences in the number of cells containing fat at the abdominal fat site between the undernourished and rehabilitated animals and the controls at any stage, nor were there any significant differences in apparent fat cell numbers between the control and rehabilitated animals at any of the other sites studied when the experiment ended at 172 d.

The relationship between fertility and fat reserves of Peary caribou

1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 597-602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald C. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Close Association ◽  
Negative Energy ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
Marrow Fat ◽  
Fat Reserves ◽  
Kidney Fat ◽  
Kidney Fat Index ◽  
Harsh Climate ◽  
Energy Balances

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.

Food intake, growth and body composition in Australian Merino sheep selected for high and low weaning weight 4. Partitioning of dissected and chemical fat in the body

1987 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Thompson ◽  
R. M. Butterfield ◽  
Diana Perry
Keyword(s):  
The Body ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Sex Effects ◽  
Low Weight ◽  
Kidney Fat ◽  
Intermuscular Fat ◽  
Total Fat ◽  
Total Body

AbstractChanges in the partitioning of both dissected and chemical fat were examined from birth to maturity, in rams and ewes from flocks of Merino sheep selected for high (weight-plus) and low (weight-minus) weaning weight and from a randomly bred control flock. The partitioning of fat between six dissected and 11 chemical fat partitions in the body was examined in 34 mature animals, and the maturing patterns for these fat partitions calculated relative to the weight of total body fat, using the mean values for the mature animals and individual data from 106 immature animals.Strain had no effect on the partitioning of dissected fat in the mature animals, but did affect the partitioning of chemical fat in the bone and pelt partitions. Mature ewes had greater proportions of dissected subcutaneous and kidney fat, and lower proportions of dissected intermuscular and scrotal/udder fat, than the mature rams.There were significant strain and sex effects on maturing patterns for dissected subcutaneous and intermuscular fat. Strain and sex effects were also significant for the maturing patterns of some chemical fat partitions.Selection for high or low weaning weight had little effect on the partitioning of either dissected or chemical fat when compared at the same stage of maturity of total fat. There were large differences in the partitioning of both chemical and dissected fat between the rams and the ewes when compared at either the same weight of total fat, or the same stage of maturity of total fat in the body.

A note on the use of a lumbar joint as a predictor of body fat depots in Aragonesa ewes with different body condition scores

1989 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 327-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Delfa ◽  
A. Teixeira ◽  
F. Colomer-Rocher
Keyword(s):  
Body Fat ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Subcutaneous Fat ◽  
The Body ◽  
Fat Depots ◽  
Intermuscular Fat ◽  
Total Fat ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Body Condition Scores

The lumbar joint, which is handled to assess body condition scores, was taken from 52 adult Rasa Aragonesa ewes with body condition scores between 1·5 and 4·5 and dissected into muscle, bone, subcutaneous and intermuscular fat. The subcutaneous fat in the lumbar joint was highly correlated with total fat in the body (r=0·97), confirming the value of this region for assessing body condition in Rasa Aragonesa ewes.

scholarly journals The New Game with the Old Rules: Boundary Determination Under MMP

2003 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 135
Author(s):  
Graham Beever
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Electoral System ◽  
The Body ◽  
The Other ◽  
Royal Commission ◽  
The Political ◽  
Tolerance Level ◽  
Boundary Determination ◽  
New System

In 1996, New Zealand experienced its first election under MMP, a system of proportional representation. MMP had been recommended ten years earlier by the Royal Commission on the Electoral System. However, some of the details surrounding the operation of the new system differ significantly from the original recommendations of the Royal Commission.In relation to the determination of electoral boundaries, an issue of considerable importance under the previous First Past the Post system but of diminished significance under MMP, there are two particularly important differences. One of these is the retention of two political representatives on the Representation Commission, the body responsible for determining electoral boundaries. The other is the retention of the electoral tolerance at the relatively low level of five percent. The electoral tolerance is the quantity that determines the acceptable variation in population between electorates.The paper concludes that the political representatives should be removed from the Representation Commission, and that the tolerance should be raised to ten percent, as originally envisaged by the Royal Commission. The entrenched status of these provisions makes reform especially challenging. However, there is evidence to suggest, at least in relation to the tolerance level, that cross-party consensus may be able to be achieved.

Allometric changes during growth in rabbits

1985 ◽  
Vol 105 (2) ◽  
pp. 339-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Deltoro ◽  
Ana M. Lopez
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Alimentary Tract ◽  
Growth Period ◽  
Allometric Equation ◽  
The Body ◽  
Differential Growth ◽  
Relative Growth ◽  
Fat Depots ◽  
Weight Growth ◽  
Total Fat

SUMMARYDifferential growth from 1 to 20 weeks of age was studied on 320 rabbits from two lines (New Zealand White and California) and both sexes by means of the allometric equation log y = log a + b log x. Regression lines were fitted to the evolution of organs (blood, skin, thymus, heart–lungs, liver, kidneys and alimentary tract), carcass, tissues (bone, lean and fat) and anatomic components (head, breast and ribs, loin, abdominal wall, fore and hind legs) relative to empty body weight; stomach, caecum and intestines relative to alimentary tract; bone and lean groups relative to total bone and lean and fat depots relative to total fat.The convenience for a correct description of relative growth of determining both the quantitative growth, in order to apply the allometric equation only to the real growth period of each component, and the possible existence of allometric changes, is discussed.The results for each component are presented and discussed. There were no significant differences due to line, and sex had a significant influence (P < 0·001) only on the relative growths of total fat, lean content in the loin and hypodermic fat. All the components, with the exception only of thymus, presented a change in their allometric coefficients. These changes for most components, except fat depots, were concentrated in a small interval of time (4–8 weeks of age) between weaning and the inflexion point of the body weight growth curve.

Ultrasonographic measurements of kidney fat thickness and Longissimus muscle area in predicting body composition of pregnant goats

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (9) ◽  
pp. 1481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla J. Härter ◽  
Herymá G. O. Silva ◽  
Lisiane D. Lima ◽  
Douglas S. Castagnino ◽  
Astrid R. Rivera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Body Fat ◽  
Fat Content ◽  
The Body ◽  
Muscle Area ◽  
Fat Depots ◽  
Kidney Fat ◽  
Gross Energy ◽  
Fat Thickness ◽  
Omental Fat

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.

scholarly journals The development of the thymus, epithelial bodies and thyroid in the marsupialia. Part I.—Trichosurus vulpecula

1915 ◽  
Vol 89 (610) ◽  
pp. 97-99 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Salivary Glands ◽  
Carotid Arteries ◽  
Ventral Side ◽  
The Body ◽  
The Other ◽  
Anterior Region ◽  
Trichosurus Vulpecula ◽  
Thyroid Glands ◽  
The One ◽  
Common Carotid Arteries

In recent years much attention has been paid to the development of the thymus and thyroid glands in the higher Mammalia but no observations on the development of these structures are extant in the case of the Marsupialia. In this memoir the authors have attempted to fill this blank in our knowledge so far as the Diprotodont Trichosurus is concerned. They have had at their disposal an extensive material of that form comprising both uterine and fœtal specimens, grouped in 22 stages. In the adult, the thymus is remarkable in that it consists of three pairs of glands, viz., a large paired superficial cervical thymus situated posteriorly to the submaxillary salivary glands and internally to the platysma on the ventral side of the anterior region of the neck, and two pairs of smaller thoracic or posterior cervical glands, situated the one behind the other, cranially to the pericardium and in relation to the corresponding common carotid arteries. These latter glands represent respectively paired thymus III and IV. They may remain separate or the two glands of the same side may unite with each other on one or both sides of the body.

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
Keyword(s):  
Body Fat ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Subcutaneous Fat ◽  
Nutritional Condition ◽  
Marrow Fat ◽  
Fat Depots ◽  
Kidney Fat ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Gross Energy

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.

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