Abstract
Metabolic and reproductive responses of captive adult female collared peccaries (Tajassu tajacu) to a variety of dietary treatments were examined. Feasibility of using physiological indices to diagnose nutritional condition also was evaluated. Three experiments examined responses of (1) nonreproductive females to four levels of dietary restriction during summer (Experiment I), (2) pregnant and lactating females and their offspring to four levels of dietary energy and protein intake (Experiment II), and (3) nonreproductive females to two levels of dietary energy and protein intake prior to the peak breeding season during winter. Moderate restrictions of dietary energy and protein intake during gestation had no adverse influence on reproductive success or fetal development. Continued dietary restriction during lactation resulted in reductions in milk calcium concentration and nursling development. Results suggest that passive immunization of nurslings via colostral gamma globulins may be affected by maternal dietary intake and that females which deplete their body nutrient reserves prior to the peak breeding season may become anestrus or fail to conceive. Hematological and serum biochemical constituents were more sensitive to malnutrition than morphologic measures such as body weight. Profiles of erythropoetic activity (red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit), nitrogen metabolism (urea nitrogen, urea nitrogen:creatinine), protein synthesis (alpha-2 globulin, beta-1 globulin, gamma globulin, alpha globulin:beta globulin, albumin:globulin), lipolytic activity (non-esterified fatty acids, cholesterol), enzyme activity (alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase), mineral balance (calcium, phosphorus, calium:phosphorus), and thyroid status (thyroxine) were useful for assessing female nutritional status. Milk urea nitrogen concentration was sensitive to maternal dietary protein intake during lactation. Nursling total serum protein, gamma globulin, and urea nitrogen levels also were sensitive to maternal dietary protein intake. Other physiological indices useful in diagnosing nutritional condition included urine composition (pH, osmolarity calcium, phosphorus, creatinine phosphokinase), fecal composition (nitrogen, phosphorus), and internal morphology (kidney fat index, femur marrow fat).
Lochmiller, R. L. (1984). Nutritional influences on growth and reproduction and physiological assessment of nutritional status in the collared peccary. Texas A&M University. Texas A&M University. Libraries. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /DISSERTATIONS -558477.