Approximately half of all reported laminitis cases are the result of “grass founder” (laminitis associated with long-term over consumption of lush, early spring pastures). Elevated body weights (BW), body condition scores (BCS), and blood glucose concentrations have all been associated with the onset of grass founder. Plasma fructosamine concentrations (PFC) have recently been used as an indicator of long-term (14–21 d), mean blood glucose concentrations in horses and numerous authors have reported that elevated PFC were observed in laminitic horses (Murphy et al., 1997; Keen et al., 2004; Knowles et al., 2012). This study was conducted to evaluate the long-term effects of transitioning from an ad-libitum tall fescue hay diet in late winter to an adlibitum tall fescue pasture diet in early spring on parameters associated with grass founder in horses. Five mature stock horse mares were given free choice access to good quality tall fescue hay for 18 weeks before initiation of data collection. Each horse acted as their own control. PFC were determined on day 1, day 128, and then monitored at 14 d intervals for the following 84 d (February 26th through May 21st). Three trained lab technicians evaluated BW and BCS on day 1, 128, 170 and 212 of the trial. The horses were placed in a 20 acre field where their diets consisted of free choice access to hay only for 156 days (DTP1) followed by free choice access to tall fescue hay with minimal access to some early emerging tall fescue pasture for 14 days (DTP2), and finally to free choice access to lush spring tall fescue pasture only for the final 42 days (DTP 3) when the animals refused to eat offered hay. Mean PFC were highest (P < 0.01) for DTP1 and decreased with each successive transition to DTP2 and DTP3. This may have been due to increased insulin secretion associated with the pasture only diet. Mean BCS at the beginning of the trial was 5.7 and increased throughout the trial (P < 0.001) to a value of 7.8. BCS associated with the pasture only diet were higher (P < 0.001) than those associated with the free choice hay and hay plus pasture diets. Mean BW increased (P < 0.05) from 1199 lbs. to 1268.3 lbs. during the 12-week trial. Mean weight gain was 113 lbs. with an average daily gain of 1.35 lbs./day. No incidence of laminitis was observed.

In total, 76 birds, mainly breeding females, were captured in years 2007-2009. Birds were inspected for the presence of avian influenza (AI) viruses and the AI antibodies. They were inspected as well for the presence of bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi s. l. and Anaplasma phagocytophilum and protozoan Leucocytozoon simondi in blood. The feces were examined for the oocysts and eggs of intestinal parasites. AI viruses were found in 4 cases, while over 80% of inspected birds had AI antibodies. Bacteria B. burgdorferi s. l. and A. phagocytophilum were found in 2 and 1 case respectively. Protozoan L. simondi was not found in any blood smear. The oocysts from protozoan genera Eimeria and Tyzzeria and eggs from roundworm genera Capillaria, Amidostomum and Echinuria were observed in feces. Statistical analyses were due to the small size of our data set inconclusive.

Orientador: Jose Luiz Moraes Vasconcelos / Banca: Ciro Moraes Barros / Banca: Alexandre Vaz Pires / Resumo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito do mês de parição na condição corporal (CC) no início de estação de monta e na resposta a dois protocolos de inseminação artificial em tempo fixo (IATF) em vacas primíparas de corte. No experimento I (exp. I) foi avaliado a alteração da CC pré e pós-parto em 87 novilhas Nelore e 68 u sangue Red Angus, inseminadas para parir de Setembro a Dezembro. A CC foi avaliada mensalmente no pré e pós-parto de Junho a Fevereiro. No exp. II as 155 vacas do exp. I foram sincronizadas entre 29 e 129 dias pós-parto (DPP), com o protocolo: remoção dos bezerros (RB) por 48 h antes do primeiro GnRH (100 mcg, Fertagyl®, INTERVET) e foi inserido dispositivo intravaginal de progesterona (CIDR®, Pfizer, 1,9 g). Após 6,5 dias, foi feita nova RB por 46h; o CIDR® foi removido; e foi aplicado prostaglandina 2 (PGF2 ) (25 mg, Lutalyse®, Pfizer). Entre 42 e 46h após a PGF2 as vacas receberam nova aplicação de GnRH e foram inseminadas. No exp. III, 538 primíparas de duas fazendas (60 Nelore e 123 u sangue Red Angus na fazenda 1 e 355 Nelore na fazenda 2), entre 33 e 104 DPP foram sincronizadas com o protocolo: inserção do CIDR® junto à de Benzoato de Estradiol (2,0 mg, Estrogin®, Farmavet), No dia 7 foi aplicado PGF2 (12,5 mg, Lutalyse®, Pfizer). No dia 9 foi retirado o CIDR®, foi feita RB e aplicado 0,5 mg de Cipionato de Estradiol (E.C.P.®, Pfizer). A IATF foi realizada 46 a 52 h após a retirada do CIDR®. A taxa de sincronização foi avaliada (exceto na fazenda 2 do exp. III) por dois exames de ultra-som (Aloka SSD-500, 5,0 MHz) e determinada pela presença e ausência de folículo dominante na IATF e 48 h após. O diagnóstico de gestação foi feito por ultra-som 28 dias após a IATF. A análise estatística do exp. I foi feita no PROC MIXED e dos exp. II e III no PROC LOGISTIC do SAS... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the calving date effect on body condition score (BCS) at the beginning of breeding season and on the response to a two timed artificial insemination (TAI) protocols in first-calf beef heifers. In experiment I (exp. I) was evaluated the BCS change pre and post-partum. Eighty seven Nelore heifers and 68 u blood Red Angus were inseminated to calve from September to December. The BCS were monthly measured from June to February, during the pre and post-partum of these animals. In exp. II, the cows from exp. I were TAI when they were between 29 and 129 days post-partum (DPP) with the protocol: calf removal (CR) for 48 h before the first GnRH (100 mcg, Fertagyl®, INTERVET) and an insertion of an intravaginal progesterone device (1.9 g, CIDR®, Pfizer). After 6,5 days a new CR was performed, the CIDR® was removed and was injected prostaglandin F2? (PGF2?) (25 mg, Lutalyse®, Pfizer). Between 42 and 46 h after PGF2? was injected a new GnRH and cows were TAI. In exp. III, 538 primiparous cows from two herds (60 Nelore and 123 u blood Red Angus from farm 1 and 355 Nelore from farm 2), between 33 and 104 DPP were synchronized with the protocol: day 0, insertion of a CIDR® and a injection of 2.0 mg of estradiol benzoate (Estrogin®, Farmavet), on day 7 was injected PgF2? (12.5 mg, Lutalyse®, Pfizer), in the CIDR® withdraw (Day 9) was injected estradiol cipionate (0.5 mg, E.C.P.®, Pfizer) and a CR was done, the TAI was preformed 46 to 52 hours after the device withdraw. In the TAI moment and 48 hours later a ultrasound scan (Aloka SSD-500, 5.0 MHz) was performed to determine the ovulation rate (except in the farm 2 of exp. 3). The pregnancy diagnosis was made by ultrasound 28 days after the TAI. The statistic analysis in exp. I was performed with PROC MIXED and in exp.II and III with PROC LOGISTIC from SAS... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

O aumento dos níveis plasmáticos de glicocorticoides com concomitante diminuição de níveis plasmáticos de andrógenos em resposta a estressores é comumente observado em diversos vertebrados. Adicionalmente, os glicocorticoides, bem como os andrógenos, exercem importantes efeitos imunomodulatórios. Populações naturais de anfíbios respondem a agentes estressores de maneiras variadas, incluindo aumento dos níveis plasmáticos de corticosterona (principal glicocorticoide em anfíbios - CORT), alterações na resposta imune e a diminuição dos níveis plasmáticos de testosterona (T). Utilizando o cativeiro como um agente estressor para populações naturais de anfíbios, investigamos os efeitos da manutenção em cativeiro sobre os níveis plasmáticos de CORT e T, resposta imune (capacidade bactericida do plasma - CBP e fagocitose de células peritoneais) e condição corpórea de indivíduos machos de Rhinella schneideri e R. icterica, a partir de indivíduos coletados em populações naturais e mantidos em cativeiro por 60 e 90 dias, respectivamente. Machos adultos foram amostrados em campo, para coleta de dados basais, transportados e mantidos em cativeiro, onde amostras foram coletadas após 7, 30, 60 e 90 dias. Inicialmente, foi realizada a padronização da metodologia do ensaio de fagocitose das células peritoneais em sapos. Nossos resultados demonstraram que a o ensaio de fagocitose e a análise por citometria de fluxo por imagem resultam em um método confiável e preciso para a análise de atividade fagocítica de células peritoneais de sapos. Em resposta ao cativeiro, ambas as espécies (R. schneideri e R. icterica) apresentaram aumento dos níveis plasmáticos de CORT, diminuição dos níveis plasmáticos de T e resposta imune (CBP e fagocitose), indicando uma condição de estresse crônico. Indivíduos da espécie R. schneideri apresentaram uma acentuada perda da condição corpórea em resposta ao cativeiro, enquanto os indivíduos da espécie R. icterica mantiveram a condição corpórea ao longo do tempo em cativeiro. A CBP esteve positivamente correlacionada com a CORT plasmática quando não houve variação da condição corpórea (R. icterica), enquanto que em R. schneideri, os indivíduos que perderam massa ao longo do tempo apresentaram níveis elevados de CORT plasmática e menores valores de CBP. Adicionalmente, os níveis plasmáticos de T estavam positivamente correlacionados com a fagocitose em ambas as espécies estudadas. Estes resultados indicam que a manutenção em cativeiro pode ser considerada um estressor crônico para sapos, uma vez que promove o aumento de CORT e diminuição de T e resposta imune nestes animais. De maneira associada, a variação da resposta imune em resposta à manutenção em cativeiro depende do parâmetro avaliado e tempo de resposta (dias em cativeiro). Nossos resultados ainda sugerem que a imunomodulação nas condições de cativeiro em sapos pode estar associada às variações de CORT e T plasmática, dependendo de sinalização da condição corpórea do animal / Increased plasma glucocorticoid levels with concomitant decrease in plasma androgen levels in response to stressors are commonly observed in several vertebrates. In addition, glucocorticoids, as well as androgens, plays important immunomodulatory effects. Natural populations of amphibians respond to stressors in different ways, including increased corticosterone (main glucocorticoid in amphibians - CORT) plasma levels, changes in immune responses, and decreased plasma testosterone (T) levels. Given that captivity is a stressor for amphibian natural populations, we investigated the effects of captivity maintenance on plasma CORT and T levels, immune response (plasma bacterial killing ability - BKA and phagocytosis of peritoneal cells) and body condition of male individuals of Rhinella schneideri and R. icterica, from individuals collected in natural populations and kept in captivity for 60 and 90 days, respectively. Adult males were sampled in the field for baseline measurements, transported and kept in captivity, where samples were collected after 7, 30, 60 and 90 days. Initially, we standardized the phagocytosis of peritoneal cells assay for toads. Our results demonstrated that the phagocytosis assay and the imaging flow cytometry analysis result in a reliable and accurate method for the analysis of phagocytic activity of peritoneal cells of toads. In response to captivity, both species (R. schneideri and R. icterica) showed increased plasma CORT, decreased plasma T levels and immune response (BKA and phagocytosis), indicating a chronic stress condition. Individuals of R. schneideri showed accentuated body condition loss in response to captivity, while individuals of R. icterica displayed sustained body condition over time in captivity. BKA was positively correlated with plasma CORT when there was no change in body condition (R. icterica), whereas in R. schneideri, individuals showing the highest body mass loss over time, also presented the highest CORT levels and the lowest BKA values. Additionally, plasma T levels were positively correlated with phagocytosis in both studied species. These results indicate that captivity maintenance can be considered a chronic stressor for toads, promoting increased CORT and decreased T and immune response in these animals. Moreover, the variation in immunity in response to captivity maintenance depends on the evaluated parameter and time (days in captivity). Our results further suggest that immunomodulation in captivity conditions in toads may be associated with changes in plasma CORT and T, depending on the individual\'s body condition. Keywords: Stress, corticosterone, testosterone, immune response, body condition

O principal objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a presença de polimorfismos e de possíveis associações com características relacionadas com a resistência às parasitoses gastrintestinais e a prolificidade em ovinos da raça Santa Inês. Para avaliação da resistência às parasitoses gastrintestinais, amostras de fezes e de sangue de aproximadamente 700 animais, infectados naturalmente e oriundos de quatro propriedades diferentes, foram coletadas entre os meses de outubro e novembro de 2011, para avaliação das características condição corporal, grau de anemia avaliado pelo cartão FAMACHA, as características dos pelos dos animais, consistência das fezes, contagem de ovos por grama de fezes, hematócrito, contagem de células brancas, contagem de células vermelhas, hemoglobina e plaquetas. Para a avaliação da prolificidade, 340 ovelhas foram avaliadas quanto ao número total de cordeiros nascidos, divididos pelo número de partos de cada ovelha, assim como a correlação dessa característica com o peso médio ao nascimento de seus cordeiros e a eficiência produtiva da mãe ao parto. Foram selecionados 28 polimorfismos de base única (SNP) para o desenvolvimento deste estudo os quais foram genotipados por meio da plataforma Sequenom MassARRAY iPLEX. Foram analisadas as freqüências alélicas e genotípicas, o equilíbrio de Hardy-Weinberg, os efeitos de substituição alélica, de aditividade e de desvio de dominância. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram variabilidade considerável das características avaliadas na população e da maioria dos polimorfismos estudados. Foi verificado também efeito significativo (p&le;0,05) ou sugestivo (0,05&gt;p&le;0,10) de substituição alélica de pelo menos um SNP para cada uma das características avaliadas, indicando que esses polimorfismos podem auxiliar nos processos de seleção das características relacionadas com a resistência às parasitoses gastrintestinais e com a prolificidade. / The aim of this work was to evaluate the presence of polymorphisms and possible associations with characteristics associated with resistance to gastrointestinal parasites and prolificacy in Santa Ines sheep. To evaluate the resistance to gastrointestinal parasites, feces and blood samples of approximately 700 animals infected naturally and from four different properties, were collected between the months of October and November, 2011 to assess characteristics body condition, degree of anemia measured by FAMACHA card, the characteristics of the hair of sheep, feces consistency, egg counts per gram of feces, hematocrit, white blood cell count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin and platelets count. For the evaluation of prolificacy, 340 sheep were evaluated for the total number of lambs born, divided by the number of births from each dam, as well as the correlation of this feature with the average birth weight of their lambs and productive efficiency of dam. 28 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected for the development of this study and were genotyped by Sequenom MassARRAY iPLEX platform. Allele and genotype frequencies, the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the effects of allelic substitution, additivity and dominance deviation were analyzed. The results showed considerable variability of the characteristics evaluated in the population in study and in most of the polymorphisms. Significant effect was observed (p &le; 0.05) or suggestive (0.05&gt; p &le; 0.10) for allelic substitution of at least one SNP for each of the evaluated traits, indicating that these polymorphisms may help in the selection processes of characteristics related to resistance to gastrointestinal parasites and prolificacy.

O principal objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a presença de polimorfismos e de possíveis associações com características relacionadas com a resistência às parasitoses gastrintestinais e a prolificidade em ovinos da raça Santa Inês. Para avaliação da resistência às parasitoses gastrintestinais, amostras de fezes e de sangue de aproximadamente 700 animais, infectados naturalmente e oriundos de quatro propriedades diferentes, foram coletadas entre os meses de outubro e novembro de 2011, para avaliação das características condição corporal, grau de anemia avaliado pelo cartão FAMACHA, as características dos pelos dos animais, consistência das fezes, contagem de ovos por grama de fezes, hematócrito, contagem de células brancas, contagem de células vermelhas, hemoglobina e plaquetas. Para a avaliação da prolificidade, 340 ovelhas foram avaliadas quanto ao número total de cordeiros nascidos, divididos pelo número de partos de cada ovelha, assim como a correlação dessa característica com o peso médio ao nascimento de seus cordeiros e a eficiência produtiva da mãe ao parto. Foram selecionados 28 polimorfismos de base única (SNP) para o desenvolvimento deste estudo os quais foram genotipados por meio da plataforma Sequenom MassARRAY iPLEX. Foram analisadas as freqüências alélicas e genotípicas, o equilíbrio de Hardy-Weinberg, os efeitos de substituição alélica, de aditividade e de desvio de dominância. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram variabilidade considerável das características avaliadas na população e da maioria dos polimorfismos estudados. Foi verificado também efeito significativo (p&le;0,05) ou sugestivo (0,05&gt;p&le;0,10) de substituição alélica de pelo menos um SNP para cada uma das características avaliadas, indicando que esses polimorfismos podem auxiliar nos processos de seleção das características relacionadas com a resistência às parasitoses gastrintestinais e com a prolificidade. / The aim of this work was to evaluate the presence of polymorphisms and possible associations with characteristics associated with resistance to gastrointestinal parasites and prolificacy in Santa Ines sheep. To evaluate the resistance to gastrointestinal parasites, feces and blood samples of approximately 700 animals infected naturally and from four different properties, were collected between the months of October and November, 2011 to assess characteristics body condition, degree of anemia measured by FAMACHA card, the characteristics of the hair of sheep, feces consistency, egg counts per gram of feces, hematocrit, white blood cell count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin and platelets count. For the evaluation of prolificacy, 340 sheep were evaluated for the total number of lambs born, divided by the number of births from each dam, as well as the correlation of this feature with the average birth weight of their lambs and productive efficiency of dam. 28 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected for the development of this study and were genotyped by Sequenom MassARRAY iPLEX platform. Allele and genotype frequencies, the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the effects of allelic substitution, additivity and dominance deviation were analyzed. The results showed considerable variability of the characteristics evaluated in the population in study and in most of the polymorphisms. Significant effect was observed (p &le; 0.05) or suggestive (0.05&gt; p &le; 0.10) for allelic substitution of at least one SNP for each of the evaluated traits, indicating that these polymorphisms may help in the selection processes of characteristics related to resistance to gastrointestinal parasites and prolificacy.

Ziel dieser Arbeit war eine Untersuchung zur Häufigkeit des Wechsels von Legehennen zwischen Innen- und Außenbereichen, einschließlich der Aufenthaltsdauer außerhalb des Stalles, in Relation zum Federpicken und der Beschaffenheit des Integumentes. Der Einfluss der Haltungsbedingungen und der Einfluss des Genotyps wurden untersucht. Die Gruppe, die ohne Grünauslauf war, bewegte sich signifikant häufiger zwischen dem Stall und dem Wintergarten als andere Gruppen mit Grünauslauf. Die Aufenthaltsdauer im Stall und Wintergarten war in der Gruppe ohne Grünauslauf signifikant höher als bei anderen mit Grünauslauf (GA). Hennen, denen eine große Auslauffläche angeboten wurde (10m²/T) bewegten sich signifikant häufiger zu den Außenbereichen als andere mit einem Angebot von 2,5 m²/Tier. Hennen mit einem Angebot von 2,5 m²/Tier hielten sich länger auf dem Grünland auf als Hennen mit einer Besatzdichte von 10m²/T. Die höchsten Federpickaktivitäten waren in der Gruppe ohne GA im Vergleich zu den Gruppen mit GA. Im Vergleich zu anderen Gruppen mit GA, hatte die Gruppe ohne GA einen schlechteren Gefiederzustand. LSL Hennen bewegten sich im Vergleich zu den LT Hennen häufiger zwischen Innen- und Außenbereichen. LSL Hennen hielten sich im Vergleich zu den LT Hennen länger im Wintergarten auf. Dennoch hielten sich die LT Hennen im Vergleich länger auf dem Grünland auf. Die schlechteste Gefiederbeschaffenheit wiesen LSL Hennen im Vergleich zu LT Hennen auf. Die Resultate der vorliegenden Untersuchungen weisen darauf hin, dass die Auslaufnutzung einen positiven Einfluss auf den Gefieder- und Hautzustand hat. Die untersuchten Genotypen unterschieden sich in der Häufigkeit des Ortswechsels und der Aufenthaltsdauer im Grünauslauf. / The aim of this work was to investigate the frequency of movement of laying hens between indoor and outdoor enclosures and the time hens spent outside the hen house in relation to feather pecking and condition of the integument. The effect of housing condition and the genotype were studied. Hens that were offered a large space to outside open area (10m²/bird) moved significantly more frequently to the outdoor areas than others (2.5m²/bird). Frequency of movement between poultry house and winter garden was higher in the group without grassland. Hens kept at a higher density outdoors (2.5m²/bird) spent significantly more time in this area than hens were kept at a lower density (10m²/bird) on grassland. The high rates of feather pecking are observed in the group without grassland compared to groups stocked at 2.5m² or 10m² per bird on grassland The group without grassland had poorer feather condition compared to other groups that had 2.5m²/bird and 10m²/bird on grassland Lohmann Selected Leghorn (LSL) hens moved more frequently to the outdoor enclosures compared to Lohmann Tradition (LT). But LT hens spent significantly more time on grassland than LSL.The plumage condition was worse in LSL than LT hens. It is concluded that housing conditions might have a stronger influence on the development of feather pecking than the genetic aspect. Large differences between the genotypes examined were found in respect to the frequency of movement to the outdoor areas, the time spent outside and plumage and skin damage.

Human-caused destruction of xeric habitats in Florida that support gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus Daudin) is occurring at a rapid rate. One conservation strategy that has been used for numerous taxa is translocation. The effects of translocation on the health, reproductive activity, and movements of translocated and resident telemetered individuals was evaluated for a population of gopher tortoises in central-Florida from 2001 to 2004. Only one of the 13 individuals released left the site during the study. The home range estimates of resident individuals were not significantly different before and after the release of the translocated individuals on the site, and all mean home ranges fit within the range of estimates reported in the literature for natural populations of gopher tortoises. Habitat use of several individual resident gopher tortoises was significantly different after the translocation events. The degree that the home ranges of the residents were overlapped by other individuals in the study was not significantly different. The spatial locations of the home ranges of resident and translocated individuals were significantly different. There was evidence of reproduction for both resident and translocated females a year after the release of the translocates. The body condition of the resident individuals was higher at the end of the study relative to the start, although this may be explained by other factors. This study illustrates some of the problems associated with studies designed to assess translocation success, namely the lack adequate baseline data for the population and the challenge of balancing the sample sizes necessary for acceptable statistical power with the mechanics of translocation. The results of this study suggest that translocation is a potentially useful conservation strategy, although there are other potential consequences of translocation that need to be considered prior to its implementation.

Selection for large body size can result in the development of obesity, which in mink females is associated with poor reproduction and metabolic diseases. Caloric restriction is effective in diminishing oxidative stress and delaying aging-related diseases. This study investigated the effects of moderate diet restriction (MDR) during the fall on body condition, health, and reproductive success of mink (Neovison vison) breeder females. The 100 control (CTRL) females were fed according to normal farm feeding practice and the 100 sister-pair MDR females were fed about 20% less. In the fall, more ideal body weights and body condition scores (BCS) were seen in the MDR females, and they produced larger litter sizes. In addition, the MDR females exhibited less deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage than the CTRL females. Telomeres were elongated in both groups. This dietary management practice is anticipated to result in significant advancement in the fur industry, both economically and welfare-wise.

Many Australian marsupial species require active population management to ensure their survival in the wild. Such management should be based on a sound understanding of species biology. This thesis explores how knowledge of reproduction and genetics can be applied to the management of three Australian marsupial species faced with contrasting management scenarios. The ??vulnerable?? greater bilby is the sole remaining desert bandicoot in Australia. They are a secretive, solitary species whose mating system is unclear. This research examined temporal changes in genetic diversity within two captive breeding programs utilising different management strategies. Using seven microsatellite loci, this study found the regular translocation of new individuals into the population maintained genetic diversity. Parentage analysis revealed the bilby to have a promiscious mating system. Sires and non-sires could not be distinguished by morphological traits. The tammar wallaby is a polygynous, solitary species that is threatened on mainland Australia, but overabundant on some offshore islands. The population genetics of tammars from the Abrolhos Islands in Western Australia were examined using nine autosomal and four Y-linked microsatellite loci, and mitochondrial DNA. There was a relationship between island size, population size and genetic diversity. The Abrolhos populations have significantly lower genetic diversity and are more inbred than mainland tammars and all sampled populations were significantly differentiated. The Abrolhos and mainland populations should be treated as separate Management Units. The eastern grey kangaroo is a gregarious, polygynous species that is often locally overabundant. To determine traits influencing male reproductive success, behavioural, morphological, physiological and genetic data were examined and showed dominance status, body size and testosterone concentrations were important factors. Sires were also significantly more heterozygous and genetically dissimilar to females, than non-sires. As body condition influences individual fitness, and management decisions; five body condition indices (BCI) calculated from morphological data were validated using serum biochemistry and haematology in two kangaroo populations with contrasting body condition. Blood parameters were found to be more reliable indicators of condition, questioning the credibility of BCIs currently used in management. These studies demonstrate the importance of reproductive and genetic data in assisting wildlife management, regardless of a species conservation status.