Differential effects of ruminally protected amino acids on fattening of fallow deer in two culling periods
Language English Country Great Britain, England Media print-electronic
Document type Journal Article
PubMed
31603061
DOI
10.1017/s1751731119002325
PII: S1751731119002325
Knihovny.cz E-resources
- Keywords
- body condition, creatinine, fat storage, metabolism, urea,
- MeSH
- Amino Acids * MeSH
- Lysine MeSH
- Methionine MeSH
- Dietary Supplements MeSH
- Deer * MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Names of Substances
- Amino Acids * MeSH
- Lysine MeSH
- Methionine MeSH
A well-balanced amino acid profile in the feedstuffs for livestock is essential to support adequate growth. This is well studied for monogastric species but still not well understood for ruminants and especially for the most unconventional species, like cervids. This study investigated the influence of ruminally protected lysine (Lys) and methionine (Met) supplementation during the fattening period, as well as two slaughter seasons (late autumn (LA) v. late winter (LW)), on the growth, carcass traits, body condition and blood plasma metabolites of fallow deer (Dama dama). Forty-five yearlings of fallow deer bucks were allocated into three groups, balanced by weight (40.2 ± 2.7 kg). The deer were pasture-fed and supplemented with barley, free-choice mineral premix, silage during the winter period, and varying levels of ruminally protected Lys and Met: no amino acids (Control), 9 g/day of Lys, and 9 g/day of Lys plus 3 g/day of Met (Lys+Met). Animals were slaughtered in two separate seasons, LA (six animals per group), and LW (nine animals per group). Animals culled in LA had higher average daily weight gain than LW (P = 0.002), due to the reduced growth during winter typical for seasonal cervids in temperate zone, mediated by the photoperiod. Dressing percentage was significantly higher in LW and in the Lys+Met group (P = 0.002). Body condition score (P = 0.024), kidney fat index (KFI) (P = 0.005), and internal fat (P < 0.001) increased significantly with Lys+Met supplementation. During LW, KFI (P = 0.004) and kidney fat (P = 0.001) were also significantly higher than in LA. Blood creatinine concentration increased significantly for deer receiving Lys (P = 0.002) and Lys+Met (P < 0.001). Also, triglycerides level increased in Lys group (P < 0.001). These findings highlight the effects of Lys and Met supplementation on the growth and internal fat storage for winter survival, suggesting a different use of the supplemented resource according to the season. Also, the observed effects on protein and fat metabolism of fallow deer may influence the production of farmed animals, and offer interesting insights about the physiology of the species.
College of Agriculture and Forestry Mindanao State University Naawan 9023 Naawan Philippines
Department of Cattle Breeding Institute of Animal Science 104 00 Prague Czech Republic
Department of Ethology Institute of Animal Science 104 00 Prague Czech Republic
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