Browsing by Subject "Ungulates -- Feeding and feeds"
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Item Fecal indices to predict diet quality and reproductive status of wild ungulates(Texas Tech University, 1987-08) Howery, Larry DPenned, white-tailed deer does (Odocoileus virginianus) were fed two levels of nitrogen (N) or phosphorus (P) in three separate trials. Fecal material was collected during three periods from each animal during each trial. Fecal material was chemically partitioned into endogenous (metabolic) and undigested dietary fecal material by neutral detergent (ND) extraction. Diet, physiological condition, and fecal collection period were factors analyzed for effects in a 2x3x3 factorial arrangement of a split-plot design with, repeated measures. Pens were replications. Total, undigested dietary, and endogenous (metabolic) fecal material were analyzed as independent variables. All fecal material was affected by dietary N and P to some degree. Total fecal nitrogen (TEN) means ranged from 2.26 to 1.45% N for deer fed high (2.64%) and low (1.18%) N diets, respectively. Total fecal phosphorus (TFP) means ranged from 1.23 to 0.41% P for high (0.48%) and low (0.18%) P diets, respectively. Axis deer (Axis axis), sika deer (Cervus nippon), fallow deer (Dama dama), and blackbuck antelope (Antilope cervicapra) were harvested at several ranches throughout Texas. Reproductive tracts, blood, and feces were collected from each animal if possible. Estradiol content of serum and feces was determined using radioimmunoassay procedures. Serum and fecal estradiol were used as independent variables to predict fetal length (i.e., stage of pregnancy). Using serum estradiol to predict fetal length, adjusted r^ values ranged from 0.61 to 0.7 6 for axis deer and fallow deer, respectively. Using fecal estradiol to predict fetal length, adjusted r"^ values ranged from 0.42 to 0.82 for axis deer and sika deer, respectively. The predictive power of serum and fecal estradiol was inadequate until the third trimester of pregnancy when each exotic species showed a significant increase in serum and fecal estradiol levels (P<0.05). Reproductive tracts also were examined to determine seasonal reproductive activity of each exotic species. Chi-square analyses showed that sika and fallow deer reproductive activity was highly seasonal, while axis deer and blackbuck antelope reproductive activity occurred nearly year-round (£<0.05).