Thesis (Ph. D - Natural Resources) - University of Arizona. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 26-

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1991. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 162-206). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis - University of Michigan. / Reprinted from the Journal of wildlife management, vol. 5, no. 2, April, 1941. Bibliography: p. 157-158.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1965. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Bibliography: l. 37-38.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1982. / Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 30-32).

Total nitrogen excretion levels were measured on five male, and three female Vancouver Island Black-tailed deer (Odo- coileus hemionus columbjanus), which, were raised in captivity in the deer unit at the University of British Columbia. They were raised from approximately three weeks of age until they had reached an adult body weight. The measurements were made at various intervals throughout the prepubertal growth period of the deer. Metabolic rate determinations were made on one of the deer, namely the doe R-5, after it had reached an adult body weight. Nitrogen balance tests were made at the same time. The method used in the nitrogen balance trials consisted of alternate periods of fasting and feeding. The ration used is described in Appendix I. It was given at one and two pound levels alternately. The procedure of fasting and feeding at different levels permitted the determination of the point of nitrogen balance, as well as that of total nitrogen excretion while feeding. The results and discussion of the nitrogen balance trials, and the distribution of nitrogen obtained, appear first, followed by that of the nitrogen excretion results observed during growth. The point of nitrogen balance was found to occur at 16.5 to 17-3 grams of nitrogen intake per day. The crude protein requirement, calculated on this basis, was approximately 100 grams for a protein of perfect biological value. The energy requirement of B-5 was found to be 1,300 to 1,400 Calories per day for maintenance. This energy requirement was met by the U.B.C. ration number 36-57 (Appendix I.) at the one pound level. This level also provided more than adequate amounts of nitrogen to fulfill the above protein requirement. The dietary requirement for nitrogen, based on the lowest level of nitrogen excretion obtained, was much lower than that calculated from the point of nitrogen balance. The lowest level obtained approximated the estimated endogenous total urinary nitrogen excretion level for an animal of the same body weight. It was concluded that insufficient time was allowed for nitrogen depletion, and that the true endogenous level was not obtained. The urea nitrogen expressed as a percentage of the total nitrogen excretion reflected the status of protein nutrition. Upon fasting the percentage fell rapidly from the non-fasting level of 90 per cent to levels of less than 85 per cent. A level of less than 75 per cent was obtained in one case. When the animal was given feed the percentage immediately returned to levels of 90 per cent or more. The prompt response on the part of urea to changes in protein intake indicated that the percentage of total nitrogen made up of urea nitrogen might be of value as an index of protein nutritional status for field studies. The creatinine nitrogen excretion level also reflected, to a slight degree, the changes in nitrogen intake. Despite the ease in determining creatinine levels, the relatively greater constancy of creatinine excretion reduces the value of such determinations as indices of protein intake. The ammonia nitrogen as a per cent of the total nitrogen reacted in an inverse manner to urea, and could be regarded as a check on the conclusions derived from the results with urea. The pattern of nitrogen excretion during growth showed changes which were similar to those observed by previous investigators on the character of increase in body weight during growth. The rate of increase in total nitrogen excretion is characterized by changes in rate of increase which occur at similar times, and in a similar manner, to those of body weight. The total creatinine nitrogen excretion increased in a regular manner during growth, from values of less than 100 milligrams per day, to values of between 400 and 600 milligrams. This is in agreement with the results of previous investigators, who have stated that creatinine excretion reflects the size of the "active body mass" The total nitrogen excretion showed a trend toward reduced levels at approximately three months of age. This reduction coincides with a major change in the growth rate, which is associated with the appearance of puberty. The reduction may indicate increased retention of nitrogen at this time, although the same result could be caused by reduced nitrogen intake. The total nitrogen excretion during growth greatly exceeded the estimated endogenous excretion level, for all body weights, as a result of the high plane of nutrition enjoyed by the deer throughout the growing period. Because the level of total nitrogen excretion reflects the level of nitrogen intake once the maintenance and growth requirements have been surpassed, it is difficult to interpret the level of excretion obtained in terms of metabolic functions. The pattern of nitrogen excretion during growth was therefore considered solely from the point of view of representing the increase in protein stores, and in the total amount of protein metabolism associated with increasing body size. The importance of these results in terms of field studies is discussed. The lack of adequate techniques, at the present time, to enable samples to be taken from the field for the type of analyses used in this experiment, makes the application of nutritional principles, such as the type discussed in this experiment, very difficult. However the results of experiments performed in the laboratory may be seen from the results of this experiment to be of great value in attempting to understand the relationship between the game animal and it environment. / Science, Faculty of / Zoology, Department of / Graduate

A series of 88 fetuses of the Columbian black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) was examined and measured. From the data obtained it was possible to reconstruct the probable sequence of changes in morphology and patterns of relative growth that occur during the development of the fetus. A series of stages of development was outlined, based on external morphological characteristics. The auricles of the ears appear to be the fastest-growing structures in relation to body length. The cranial portion of the skull grows in diameter faster than the inter-orbital region. In length, the preorbital and postorbital segments of the skull show similar growth rates. The neck grows in circumference relatively faster than the abdomen. The hind limbs grow faster than the fore limbs. Greater differences in patterns of relative growth were observed between this subspecies and the Northern white-tailed deer (O. virginianus borealis) than between the black-tailed deer and Rocky Mountain mule deer (O. h. hemionus). Some sources of variation were examined, including technical problems, individual differences, differences between the sexes and the relationship between size and form. Not all regions appear to develop at the same rate in different animals Males were found to.be larger than females at the same stage of morphological development. Some body dimensions had a much higher correlation with structural change than did others. / Science, Faculty of / Zoology, Department of / Graduate

Seventeen male deer fawns of the year (Odocoileus hemionus colum- bianus) were raised to ages of four or six months. During this time, the nutrition of these animals was controlled so that five different patterns of alimentation were produced. The changes in the growth increments of the various regions of the skeleton with the pattern of alimentation were documented. An analysis of the changes led to an interpretation of the relative growth priority exhibited by each skeletal element up to four months, and from four to six months of age. The magnitude of the increment to each skeletal dimension was related to the total digestible energy intake of the animal over the experimental period, and to the pattern of alimentation which led to this energy intake. The growth gradients described in the literature as a typical mammalian pattern were confirmed for deer and were quantitated graphically. The principles evolved from the experiment were applied to estimating the total energy intakes of two field animals at six months of age. The results of this study showed that this method of energy evaluation possesses a potential for direct field application. / Science, Faculty of / Zoology, Department of / Graduate

This thesis describes a number of experiments undertaken to assess the nutritional requirements of pregnant and lactating fallow does with the aim of enhancing production and Quality Assurance in the Australian Deer Industry.Areas of study include determination of metabolisable energy intake of farmed fallow deer does of two genotypes throughout pregnancy and lactation, metabolisable energy intake of fallow deer fawns from 12 to 20 weeks of age and the effects of restricted maternal nutrition on foetal and placental development at different stages of gestation.In conjunction with nutritional adequacy, a body condition scoring system based on ante-mortem and post-mortem descriptors was developed for fallow deer. The results of this research make possible the precise strategic feeding of fallow deer breeding stock, which should lead to more consistent reproductive performance and higher quality slaughter animals. Furthermore, use of strategic feeding in conjunction with BCS systems will lead to better resource management and profitability, as farmers consistently produce animals to specification / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)