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.

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 urea nitrogen as an indicator of protein quality. I. Factors affecting the concentration of urea in the blood of the preruminant lamb

1976 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 109 ◽  
Author(s):  
RD Kirk ◽  
DM Walker
Keyword(s):  
Protein Content ◽  
Protein Concentration ◽  
Protein Quality ◽  
Protein Diet ◽  
Low Protein Diet ◽  
Dry Matter Content ◽  
Urea Nitrogen ◽  
Plasma Urea ◽  
Low Protein ◽  
Gross Energy

Preruminant male crossbred lambs, aged between 2 days and 5 weeks, were given milk replacers of low (0.10 of total energy as protein) or medium (0.28) protein content. Plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) values were unaffected by: the time of blood sampling within 9 hr after feeding; the age of the lamb, between 3 and 33 days; the lamb's intake of the medium protein diet (range, 500–1180 kJ gross energy/day per kg0.73 storage of plasma samples at –15°C for 5 months before analysis; fasting of lambs for 4 days; feeding of lambs on a nitrogen-free diet for 7 days. PUN values were significantly increased by: an increase in the dietary protein concentration; a reduction in the lamb's intake of the low protein diet below 840 kJ gross energy/day per kg0.73 (negative nitrogen balance); an increase in the dry matter content of the medium protein diet from 0.10 to 0.25; the addition of urea to the low protein diet (peak values 4–6 hr after feeding). PUN values estimated on successive days reflected a change in the protein content of the diet within 3–4 days, regardless of whether the change in protein concentration was from low to medium, or medium to low. It is concluded that PUN values can be used to evaluate protein quality only when experimental conditions are strictly controlled. Blood samples taken without regard to the above factors may give misleading results.

Estimation of hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) pup production in the Greenland Sea pack ice during the 2005 whelping season

Polar Biology ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 31 (7) ◽  
pp. 867-878 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arnt-Børre Salberg ◽  
Tore Haug ◽  
Kjell Tormod Nilssen
Keyword(s):  
Greenland Sea ◽  
Hooded Seal ◽  
Cystophora Cristata ◽  
Pack Ice

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.

Maturation increases superoxide radical production without increasing oxidative damage in the skeletal muscle of hooded seals (Cystophora cristata)

2011 ◽  
Vol 89 (3) ◽  
pp. 206-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Vázquez-Medina ◽  
N. O. Olguín-Monroy ◽  
P. D. Maldonado ◽  
A. Santamaría ◽  
M. Königsberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Oxidative Damage ◽  
Protein Content ◽  
Superoxide Radical ◽  
Ros Production ◽  
Sod Activity ◽  
Hooded Seal ◽  
Cystophora Cristata ◽  
Radical Production ◽  
And Oxidative Stress

Diving vertebrates represent unique models for the study of the physiological responses to reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and oxidative stress because of their adaptability to cope with dive-derived ROS production. We hypothesized that in the skeletal muscle of a diving mammal, the hooded seal ( Cystophora cristata (Erxleben, 1777)), ROS production increases with maturation but the accumulation of oxidative damage does not. To test this, we analyzed the tissue capacity to produce ROS, the accumulation of oxidative damage, and the activity and protein content of the cooper, zinc, and manganese dependent superoxide dismutases (Cu,ZnSOD, MnSOD) in skeletal muscle from neonates, weaned pups, and adult hooded seals. Our results showed higher tissue capacity to produce ROS, higher Cu,ZnSOD and MnSOD activities, and higher MnSOD protein content in adult seals than in pups. No differences in oxidative damage to lipids, proteins, or DNA were detected among groups. Results suggest that increased SOD activity likely counters the oxidative damage commonly associated with increased ROS production. These findings highlight the unusual tolerance of skeletal muscle of seals to increased ROS production.

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.

Feeding hay-based diets deficient in protein to dairy cows during early lactation

1984 ◽  
Vol 24 (127) ◽  
pp. 478 ◽  
Author(s):  
BD Bartsch ◽  
RB Wickes
Keyword(s):  
Protein Content ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Economic Data ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Low Protein ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Protein Diets ◽  
Friesian Cows

In two experiments, 87 Friesian cows were fed diets of moderate (141%), moderate-low (117%), or low protein content (9.2%) for the first 12 weeks of lactation. These diets contained 5 kg dry matter (DM)/cow.d of either rolled lupins, a 1:1 mixture of rolled lupins and rolled barley, or rolled barley together with cereal hay ad libitum. During weeks 13-24 of lactation, all cows were fed 2 5 kg DM/cow.d of rolled barley as a supplement to cereal hay ad libitum in experiment 1, and pasture ad libitum in experiment 2. All cows were fed cereal hay or hay plus grain during weeks 25-36 of the experiments. Mean estimated intakes of hay DM during the first 12 weeks of lactation were 14.6, 14.8 and 11.9 kg/cow.d in experiment 1, and 15.7, 14.8 and 12.8 kg/cow.d in experiment 2, for cows fed diets of moderate, moderate-low, and low protein content, respectively. Significant differences ( P < 0.05) in liveweight were recorded during the first 12 weeks of lactation. Liveweight differences between groups were evident for a larger part of the lactation in experiment 1 than in experiment 2. The mean daily yields of milk during the first 12 weeks of lactation in both experiments were higher (P<0.00 1) for cows fed diets of moderate (21.9 and 23.5 litres) or moderate-low (20.7 and 22.1 litres) protein content than those of cows fed diets of low protein content (1 6.4 and 15 5 litres). Milk yields for weeks 13-24 and 25-36 did not differ (P> 0.05) between treatment groups in either experiment; milk composition did not differ (P>0.05) between treatment groups in any 12-week period in experiment 1 or 2. Cows fed low protein diets were less efficient in the use of feed or body reserves for milk production than cows fed diets of moderate or moderate-low protein content. Economic data indicate that it is currently profitable to ensure that the protein content of hay-grain diets fed during early lactation is at least 14% of DM irrespective of likely feeding regime over the remainder of the lactation.

scholarly journals Role of Daily Milk Volume and Period of Lactation in Nutrient Content of Human Milk: Results from a Prospective Study

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginie Rigourd ◽  
Isabel Lopera ◽  
Florina Cata ◽  
Guy Benoit ◽  
Benedicte Jacquemet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Milk ◽  
Protein Content ◽  
Maternal Age ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Sodium Content ◽  
Lactation Period ◽  
Average Volume ◽  
Macronutrient Content ◽  
Milk Volume

Most studies assessing the macronutrient content of human milk are published retrospectively using analyzers that fail to determine sodium content and do not take into account the role of volume in milk composition. We aimed to describe macronutrient content and sodium content in human milk over time, observe any associations between them, and determine the factors associated with the evolution of milk composition. A prospective, longitudinal, monocentric study was undertaken. Contents of protein, fat, and lactose of 102 milk samples from 40 mothers were determined using a human milk analyzer and that of sodium with a flame spectrophotometer. Milk volumes along with clinical data were recorded. Protein content in the fourth quartile of volume was significantly lower than that in the first three, suggesting the existence of a volume threshold for protein content at approximately 445 mL. After multivariate analysis, it was found that maternal age, average volume, and lactation period remained significantly associated with protein content, maternal age remained significantly associated with fat content, and only average volume with sodium content. In consideration of previous findings along with our data, we suggest that extra care should be taken with fortification for feeding preterm infants when the mother’s milk volume is greater than 400–450 mL.

scholarly journals The Effects of Energy Intake During late Pregnancy on Lamb Birth Weights and Lactation of Nigerian Dwarf Sheep

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-161
Author(s):  
I. F. Adu ◽  
E. A. Olaloku ◽  
V. A. Oyenuga
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Lactation Period ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
Gross Energy ◽  
Daily Intakes

EIGHTEEN Nigerian Dwarf ewe lambs about eight months of age and weighing between 15 and 20 kg were divided into three groups, A, B, and C, and fed diets supplying 75, 100 and 125% of the ARC energy standards (1965) from the 15th week of pregnancy through lactation. Mean daily intakes during the last seven weeks of pregnancy were: dry matter 569, 748 and 826g: digestible organic matter 260, 496 and 593; and calculated metabolizable energy 0.99, 1.81 and 2.16 Mcal for groups A, B and respectively. The daily intakes during lactation were: 660, 748 and 857g of dry matter; 287, 593 and 690g of digestible organic matter and 1.05, 2.16 and 2.51 Mcal of calculated metabolizable energy for groups A, B and C respectively. Mean daily liveweight gains during the last seven weeks of pregnancy were 14.2, 99.0 and 90.0g and during lactation — 43.0, 7.9 and 10.4g for groups A, B and respectively, the differences being highly significant (P <0.01). Mean birth weights of lambs were 1.18, 1.78 and 1.82kg for groups A, B and C respectively, the differences not being significant. Weight gains of lambs were highly significantly correlated with milk yield of their ewes. During a 10-week lactation period the differences in milk yields were highly significant between groups, with average daily yields of 312, 480 and 533g, for A, B and respectively. Peak yields were 481, 697 and 670 g for the respective groups between the second and third weeks of lactation. The mean values for milk composition were: fat, which remained relatively constant throughout lactation, 6.00, 6.36 and 6.40%; protein 4.82, 5.63 and 5.78%; lactose 4.15, 4.30 and 4.34%; total solids, which showed no definite trends during lactation, 15.98, 16.88 and 16.95%; and gross energy, which decreased with advancing lactation, 6.12, 6.18 and 6.38kcal/g for groups A, B and C respectively, the differences not being significant.

182. Variations in the protein content of milk during lactation

1938 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Azarme
Keyword(s):  
Protein Content ◽  
Total Protein ◽  
Maximum Level ◽  
Close Correlation ◽  
Lactation Period ◽  
Protein Food ◽  
Protein Nitrogen ◽  
Low Protein ◽  
Lactation Curve ◽  
Correlation Tables

1. It was planned to study the variations of the protein content of milk during the lactation period.2. The total protein nitrogen and the casein nitrogen were determined by approved methods in about 380 weekly samples of milk taken from twentyseven individual cows of different breeds and at different stages of lactation, from February to July 1937. The albumin+globulin nitrogen was calculated in each case by difference.3. The statistical analysis of the figures was made by the methods of “factorial arrangement” and by “pairing”, and also by the estimation of the 95% probability range of the mean of the figures available for each week of lactation.4. It was found that the percentage of total protein nitrogen decreases very significantly from the beginning until the 4th week of lactation, and then rises slowly until the end of lactation, the rise being more pronounced to wards the end. The same was true for casein nitrogen and for albumin+globulin nitrogen, but with the latter only the decrease at the beginning and the rise at the end were sharp. The rise for the rest of the lactation curve, although it did exist, was very slow.5. The lactation curves for the yield of total protein nitrogen, casein nitrogen and albumin + globulin nitrogen were practically parallel with the lactation curve for the yield of milk.6. The correlations between the yield of milk and the percentages of total protein nitrogen, casein nitrogen and albumin + globulin nitrogen are studied and the correlation tables with all details are given for each. It is noteworthy that the regression lines are not linear and that with a poor milker an increase of 1 lb. in yield of milk corresponds to a relatively high decrease in the percentage of protein nitrogen, whereas with a high milker this decrease is relatively much smaller.7. The correlations between the yield of milk and the yield of total protein nitrogen, casein nitrogen and albumin + globulin nitrogen are examined and the correlation tables are given. It is shown that there is a close correlation between the yield of milk and its protein content, from which the conclusion is drawn that a very low protein food does not decrease the percentage of protein in milk as one might expect, but decreases the yield of milk and increases the percentage of protein in milk. On the other hand, an increase of adequate protein in the ration may raise the yield of milk if it is not at its maximum level.8. It is emphasized that the above conclusions are drawn from a study carried out on a group of cows, and may not be strictly applicable to individual cows.

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