Mass transfer from mother to pup and subsequent mass loss by the weaned pup in the hooded seal, Cystophora cristata

1987 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. D. Bowen ◽  
D. J. Boness ◽  
O. T. Oftedal
Keyword(s):  
Mass Transfer ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Lactation Period ◽  
Fasting Period ◽  
Hooded Seal ◽  
Elephant Seals ◽  
Cystophora Cristata ◽  
Northern Elephant Seals ◽  
Efficient Transfer

We studied the components of mass transfer from mother to pup during the lactation period and weight loss by fasting pups postweaning in the hooded seal, Cystophora cristata. Measurements were taken from 33 mother–pup pairs and 69 weaned pups. Mean body weight of mothers declined from an average of 179 kg at the beginning of lactation to 150 kg for mothers nursing fat pups near the end of lactation. Over 80% of this weight loss was from the sculp (i.e., skin and blubber). Pup weight doubled during the 4 days of lactation, with about 70% of this weight gain in the form of blubber. Fasting pups lost 29% or 13 kg of their body weight between weaning and mid to late April when feeding begins. Sculp and core weight accounted for 51% and 49%, respectively, of total weight loss during this fasting period. Hooded seal mothers invest a smaller portion of their stored fat (33%) in their pup than do grey seals (85%) and northern elephant seals (58%). Our hooded seal data are consistent with the hypothesis that the abbreviation of lactation allows a reduction in overhead costs and more efficient transfer of nutrients from mother to pup.

Birth to weaning in 4 days: remarkable growth in the hooded seal, Cystophora cristata

1985 ◽  
Vol 63 (12) ◽  
pp. 2841-2846 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. D. Bowen ◽  
O. T. Oftedal ◽  
D. J. Boness
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Relative Rate ◽  
Lactation Period ◽  
Maternal Weight ◽  
Hooded Seal ◽  
Cystophora Cristata ◽  
Pack Ice ◽  
Gastric Contents ◽  
Maternal Effort

A brief lactation period with rapid neonatal weight gain may be adaptive for seals breeding on unstable pack ice. We studied the duration of lactation and growth of known-age pups of the hooded seal, Cystophora cristata, on the pack ice off Labrador. Mean body weight of pups increased from 22.0 kg at birth (n = 21) to a maximum of 42.6 kg on day 4 (n = 11) and then declined. On the basis of maternal absence, weight change, gastric contents, and clarity of blood serum, we conclude that pups are weaned 4 days after birth (range, 3–5 days). This is the shortest lactation period known for any mammal. Tagged pups captured on sequential days gained on average 7.1 kg per 24 h from the day after birth to weaning. Maternal effort supported a relative rate of weight gain (145 g∙kg maternal weight−0.75∙day−1) that is 2.5–6 times that of other phocids. By combining a large birth weight with rapid neonatal weight gain, hooded seals achieve a weaning weight comparable to other phocids in one-third to one-tenth the amount of time after birth.

Plasma and blood volumes of the hooded seal (Cystophora cristata)

1987 ◽  
Vol 65 (7) ◽  
pp. 1866-1867 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. M. Keiver ◽  
M. Chandler ◽  
R. J. Frank ◽  
K. Ronald
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Blood Volume ◽  
Plasma Volume ◽  
Total Body Weight ◽  
Weight Basis ◽  
Hooded Seal ◽  
Cystophora Cristata ◽  
Total Body ◽  
Blood Volumes

Plasma volumes and haematocrits were determined in six hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) and blood volumes were estimated. Expressed on a total body weight basis, plasma volume was found to range from 39 to 109 mL∙kg−1 and blood volume from 93 to 222 mL∙kg−1. Logarithms of the values for plasma and blood volume varied directly with the total body weight of the seals.

scholarly journals Carcass and meat quality of primiparous sows as related to the lactation period of 21 or 28 days and to body weight loss

2012 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 257-262
Author(s):  
Jolanta Kapelanska ◽  
Salomea Grajewska ◽  
Maria Bocian ◽  
Hanna Jankowiak ◽  
Wojciech Kapelanski
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Meat Quality ◽  
Body Weight Loss ◽  
Carcass Quality ◽  
Lactation Period ◽  
Weight Losses ◽  
Lower Protein ◽  
Water Holding

The study included 70 primiparous sows nursing piglets for 21 days and 30 sows nursing piglets for 28 days. Body weight of the sows was recorded at mating, farrowing, weaning and slaughter. The assessment covered the degree of sow body weight loss and its influence on carcass and meat quality as related to the lactation period and to the extent of lactation body loss below 5%, from 5 to 10% and over 10% of body weight. Carcass quality as well as physicochemical meat traits were also subjected to evaluation. Extending the nursing period from 21 to 28 days increased the average lactation body weight loss from 7.88 to 8.50% (P ≤ 0.01). This did not influence the carcass quality in any noticeable way; nonetheless, some meat traits did yield less favourable results. These were related to the electric conductivity of the meat as well as its water holding capacity and colour (P ≤ 0.01). The same undesirable tendency was observed in the group of sows with body weight losses exceeding 10%. It resulted in the decrease of backfat thickness (P ≤ 0.01) and reduction of certain meat traits, particularly lower protein content (P ≤ 0.05). Lower carcass fatness of primiparous sows is a beneficial trait in preparation of a heavy pig for slaughter.

Remarks on display functions of the snout of the grey seal, Halichoerus grypus (Fab.), with comparative notes

1979 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 140-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. H. Miller ◽  
D. J. Boness
Keyword(s):  
Visual Display ◽  
Halichoerus Grypus ◽  
Grey Seal ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Hooded Seal ◽  
Elephant Seals ◽  
Sea Lions ◽  
Cystophora Cristata ◽  
Fur Seals ◽  
Threat Displays

Adult males of the grey seal, Halichoerus grypus (Fab.) (Phocidae), display the large snout conspicuously in threats. The male's snout has probably evolved through sexual selection as a visual display organ, as in some other extant phocids: the hooded seal, Cystophora cristata (Nilsson) and the two species of elephant seals, Mirounga (Gray). This may also be true of the extinct desmatophocid Allodesmus Kellogg. Cephalic display organs in the form of long tusks have also evolved twice in the Odobenidae (walruses). Comparable display structures do not occur in the Otariidae (fur seals and sea lions). However, the massive neck of adult male otariids is important in undirected static-optical threat displays, especially at long range, and in some kinds of short-range threats. Also, adult otariids show sexual dimorphism in facial appearance, which varies interspecifically.Pinniped species in which large mature males have prominent, constant-growing cephalic display structures show fluid spacing among rutting males, and much agonistic communication at the water surface and on land or ice. This correlation may reflect selective pressures on males to affirm social status repeatedly, through displays which communicate their age (hence strength and experience), and their resource-accruing abilities.

scholarly journals Blood dynamics of mercury and selenium in northern elephant seals during the lactation period

2011 ◽  
Vol 159 (10) ◽  
pp. 2523-2529 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Habran ◽  
Cathy Debier ◽  
Daniel E. Crocker ◽  
Dorian S. Houser ◽  
Krishna Das
Keyword(s):  
Lactation Period ◽  
Elephant Seals ◽  
Northern Elephant Seals

scholarly journals Effect of concentrate feeding on milk yield and body-weight change of Awassi ewes and the growth of their lambs

1999 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 441-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.A.M. Al Jassim ◽  
D.I. Aziz ◽  
K. Zorah ◽  
J.L. Black
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Body Weight Loss ◽  
Subclinical Mastitis ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Positive Energy ◽  
Lactation Period ◽  
High Level

AbstractThe response of Awassi ewes to graded amounts of supplementary concentrate diet was examined for the first 12 weeks of lactation. The growth rate of lambs and their health status were also investigated. Seventy-five ewes were divided into three equal groups and given a basal roughage diet of shredded wheat straw at a rate of 750 g dry matter (DM) per ewe per day supplemented with a concentrate diet at three amounts, 950 g (low), 1150 g (medium) and 1350 g (high) of DM per ewe per day starting at the beginning of lactation. Ewes were adapted to the diet by feeding daily at a rate of 200 g per ewe during the last 6 weeks of pregnancy. The concentrate was estimated to contain 11⋅8 MJ of metabolizable energy and 182 g of crude protein per kg DM. Ewes and their offspring were housed in a partly enclosed yard. Lambs remained with their dams continuously except for the days of milk yield measurements, when they were separated from the dam for 11 or 12 h. The ewes were examined for subclinical mastitis and the incidence of scouring in lambs was recorded.Ewes given the high level of concentrate produced more (P < 0⋅05) milk but differences between medium and low groups were significant only up to week 4 of lactation. Total milk yields during the 9 weeks test period were 58⋅5, 70⋅4 and 93⋅3 kg for the low, medium and high groups, respectively. Ewes suckling twins produced more (P < 0⋅05) milk than ewes suckling singles. The rate of weight loss was lower (P < 0⋅01) for ewes given the high feeding regime; these regained their immediate post-lambing body weight by week 10. Sex of lambs and litter size had no effect on body weight loss but ewes nursing twins tended to loose more weight during the 12 weeks suckling period. Lamb growth rates were similar (P > 0⋅05) across treatments. The daily intake of concentrate by the ewes did not affect the incidence of scouring in lambs or mastitis in ewes.On both economical and biological grounds it is recommended to offer concentrate during the first 9 weeks of lactation at levels >950 g per ewe per day in order to produce an appreciable yield of milk and restore a positive energy balance early in the ewe lactation period.

scholarly journals Vitamin E and vitamin A contents, fatty acid profiles, and gross composition of harp and hooded seal milk through lactation

1999 ◽  
Vol 77 (6) ◽  
pp. 952-958 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Debier ◽  
K M Kovacs ◽  
C Lydersen ◽  
E Mignolet ◽  
Y Larondelle
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Vitamin E ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Harp Seal ◽  
Milk Lipid ◽  
Lactation Period ◽  
Fatty Acid Profiles ◽  
Milk Fatty Acids ◽  
Hooded Seal ◽  
Cystophora Cristata

This study reports fatty acid profiles and vitamin A and vitamin E contents of the milk of the harp seal (Phoca groenlandica) and hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) throughout the lactation period, as well as standard compositional analyses. The milk for this study was collected from harp and hooded seals breeding on the pack ice in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Mother-pup pairs were serially captured, or point-sampled, in order to obtain milk samples during different lactation stages. Milk lipids showed the respective species' typical patterns during lactation, with a significant increase for harp seal milk and a relatively constant value for hooded seal milk. The profiles of most of the milk fatty acids remained relatively stable over the course of lactation in both species. Vitamin A content was also quite stable through lactation. By contrast, vitamin E content underwent a dramatic drop between the day of birth and early lactation for harp seals and from birth to midlactation for hooded seals. It then continued to decrease at a slower rate until the end of lactation in both species. The highest vitamin E content of colostrum reached 125 mg/kg of milk for harp seals and 200 mg/kg of milk for hooded seals. These concentrations subsequently dropped to 20-50 mg/kg of milk by early or mid lactation. These changes in this lipophilic, antioxidizing vitamin were not correlated with milk lipid content or its polyunsaturated fatty acid profiles.

Mass-transfer efficiency between hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) mothers and their pups in the Gulf of St. Lawrence

1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (7) ◽  
pp. 1315-1320 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. M. Kovacs ◽  
D. M. Lavigne
Keyword(s):  
Mass Transfer ◽  
Mass Loss ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Mass Measurements ◽  
Hooded Seal ◽  
Cystophora Cristata ◽  
Lactation Duration ◽  
Breeding Seasons ◽  
Pup Growth

We investigated the efficiency of mass transfer in hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) through serial mass measurements on mother – pup pairs during lactation. Data on birth mass, weaning mass, pup growth, lactation duration, mass loss during the postweaning fast, and adult female mass were collected during the breeding seasons of 1988 – 1991. Pups weighed 24.4 ± 2.6 kg (mean ± SD, N = 19) at birth; males (25.3 ± 2.3 kg, N = 7) did not differ statistically from females (24.0 ± 2.7 kg, N = 12). During the nursing period pups grew at a rate of 6.9 ± 1.2 kg (N = 28) per day. Weaning took place at 3.8 ± 0.5 days of age (N = 19). Mass at weaning was not related to mass at birth. Pups were weaned at 47.1 ± 6.7 kg (N = 25). The mean value for weaning mass of males (47.6 ± 7.1 kg, N = 10) was not significantly different from that of females (46.7 ± 6.8 kg, N = 15). Ten percent of weaned pups stole milk from females after their own mothers had departed. Weaners, which consistently lost mass, did so at a rate of 1.3 ± 0.8 kg per day during the early part of the postweaning fast. At parturition, mean maternal body mass was 236.5 ± 35.5 kg (range 172 – 306 kg, N = 19). Mean maternal mass loss per day was 10.1 ± 2.6 kg. Efficiency of mass transfer from females to their pups was 63.2 ± 12.8% (N = 26).

The composition of hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) milk: an adaptation for postnatal fattening

1988 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 318-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olav T. Oftedal ◽  
Daryl J. Boness ◽  
W. Don Bowen
Keyword(s):  
Protein Content ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Lactation Period ◽  
Hooded Seal ◽  
Low Protein ◽  
Cystophora Cristata ◽  
Lactation Stage ◽  
Pack Ice ◽  
Gross Energy ◽  
Postnatal Weight Gain

We obtained milk from 22 hooded seals on pack ice off the southeast coast of Labrador. Milk composition was not affected by degree of mammary evacuation or method of milk collection (drug immobilization vs. postmortem collection). Lactation stage exerted relatively little influence on milk composition over the course of the 4-day lactation period, but colostrum was higher in crude protein content. At mid to late lactation (2 – 4 days postpartum), hooded seal milk contains the highest dry matter (70%), fat (61%), and gross energy (5.9 kcal/g) contents that have been reported for any mammalian milk. This high fat content may be essential to achievement of the extremely rapid rate of fat deposition (about 4 kg/d) by suckling pups. The relatively low protein content (4.9%) at mid to late lactation is consistent with the small proportion of postnatal weight gain that is lean body mass. The proportion of milk energy contributed by protein is the lowest known for any mammal.

How to Maintain a Healthy Body Weight

2006 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 208-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Astrup
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Glycemic Index ◽  
Dairy Products ◽  
Weight Control ◽  
Healthy Body Weight ◽  
Healthy Body

The epidemic of both obesity and type 2 diabetes is due to environmental factors, but the individuals developing the conditions possess a strong genetic predisposition. Observational surveys and intervention studies have shown that excess body fatness is the major environmental cause of type 2 diabetes, and that even a minor weight loss can prevent its development in high-risk subjects. Maintenance of a healthy body weight in susceptible individuals requires 45–60 minutes physical activity daily, a fat-reduced diet with plenty of fruit, vegetables, whole grain, and lean meat and dairy products, and moderate consumption of calorie containing beverages. The use of table values to predict the glycemic index of meals is of little – if any – value, and the role of a low-glycemic index diet for body weight control is controversial. The replacement of starchy carbohydrates with protein from lean meat and lean dairy products enhances satiety, and facilitate weight control. It is possible that dairy calcium also promotes weight loss, although the mechanism of action remains unclear. A weight loss of 5–10% can be induced in almost all obese patients providing treatment is offered by a professional team consisting of a physician and dieticians or nurses trained to focus on weight loss and maintenance. Whereas increasing daily physical activity and regular exercise does not significantly effect the rate of weight loss in the induction phase, it plays an important role in the weight maintenance phase due to an impact on daily energy expenditure and also to a direct enhancement of insulin sensitivity.

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