PREGNANCY RATE AND NUMBER OF FETUSES OF WHITE-TAILED DEER RELATED TO BODY MEASUREMENTS AND SERUM METABOLITES

This study aimed to assess the association between fertility and the number of fetuses of free-ranging concentrate-supplemented white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus, texanus, Mearns 1898) from northern Mexico (27 °N) with body measurements and serum metabolites indicative of nutritional status....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Acta biológica colombiana 2024-01, Vol.29 (1), p.86-92
Main Authors: Rodríguez-Huerta, Francisco A., García, José E., Angel-García, Oscar, Contreras, Viridiana, Mellado, Jesús, Mellado, Miguel
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Arid environments
Body measurements
Circumferences
Deer
Dietary supplements
Females
Fertility
Fetuses
Helicopters
Metabolites
Nutritional status
Odocoileus virginianus
Population studies
Pregnancy
Rangelands
Thorax
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Summary:This study aimed to assess the association between fertility and the number of fetuses of free-ranging concentrate-supplemented white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus, texanus, Mearns 1898) from northern Mexico (27 °N) with body measurements and serum metabolites indicative of nutritional status. We studied 119 female deer (31 yearlings and 88 adults) captured in January 2021 using a net gun fired from a helicopter. Ultrasound scanning showed 100 and 97.8 % pregnancy rate and 1.52 ± 0.51 and 1.50 ± 0.59 fetuses/pregnant doe for yearlings and adult does, respectively, with no difference (p > 0.05) between age classes Thoracic circumference (cm) was higher (85.9 ± 4.9 vs. 84.1 ± 4.2; p = 0.039) for does carrying twins vs. singles. None of the serum metabolites indicative of nutritional status affected the fetal number of pregnant does. It was concluded that free-ranging white-tailed deer receiving concentrate supplementation in winter on a semi-arid rangeland has a high reproductive potential. Also, these results indicate that variation in maternal age within this population was not a significant driver of reproductive metrics of white-tailed deer. The plane of nutrition used in the present study was reflected in adequate serum metabolites indicative of nutritional status. Also, thoracic circumference may have prognostic value as a physical marker of multiple fetuses in female white-tailed deer. 
ISSN:0120-548X
1900-1649
DOI:10.15446/abc.v29n1.104978