Combined effects of supplementation of amino acids and immunocastration in first antler growth of farmed fallow deer (<i>Dama dama</i>)

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F60460709%3A41320%2F23%3A96933" target="_blank" >RIV/60460709:41320/23:96933 - isvavai.cz</a>

Alternative codes found

RIV/60460709:41340/23:96933

Result on the web

<a href="https://www.publish.csiro.au/AN/AN22258" target="_blank" >https://www.publish.csiro.au/AN/AN22258</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/AN22258" target="_blank" >10.1071/AN22258</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Combined effects of supplementation of amino acids and immunocastration in first antler growth of farmed fallow deer (<i>Dama dama</i>)

Original language description

Context Amino acid supplementation and immunocastration are two husbandry practices with an increasing interest in the worldwide growing industry of deer farming. Amino acids (AAs) optimise nutrition and feed costs and improve the quality of products such as venison, velvet or antlers. Immunocastration (IC) reduces agonistic behaviours, which produce carcass damage and reduced growth. Thus, both treatments have positive effects on body growth, but may interfere with hormonal regulation, subsequently affecting antler growth. Aims This study aimed to evaluate the combined use of both practices and their impact on body and antler growth. Methods Forty-four yearling male fallow deer, approximate 10 months old, were subjected to the following four combinations based on both treatments: control-control, AA-control, IC-control, and AA-IC. Immunocastration treatment started in March 2020 and was repeated after 50 and 130 days. All groups received 250 g per animal and day of grains, and those under AA supplementation received ruminally protected lysine 6.3 g and ruminally protected methionine 2.1 g per animal and day. Biometric data, antlers and metatarsus were collected at slaughter in November. Antlers and metatarsus were analysed through computer-tomography scanning and mineral spectrometry. Key results Supplementation of AAs scarcely affected antler growth, although an indirect effect through improved body condition cannot be rejected. Immunocastration showed significant but not dramatic effects: IC animals had lighter antlers, with a lower amount of cortical bone and less mineralisation (density and calcium and phosphorus concentrations) in the base of the antler than did control animals. In contrast, the effects were scarce at the top of the antler and the metatarsus. Conclusions The results suggest a reduction but not total suppression of testosterone, with almost negligible effects on body growth and internal bones, thus not raising animal welfare issues. ImplicationsBoth techniques can be used simultaneously in deer farming, especially in farms with venison-production goals. Future research should focus on optimising the vaccination schedule for the main farmed deer species to ensure that the welfare benefits are well balanced with productivity.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

40101 - Agriculture

Project

—

Continuities

S - Specificky vyzkum na vysokych skolach

Publication year

2023

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Animal Production Science

ISSN

1836-5787

e-ISSN

1836-5787

Volume of the periodical

63

Issue of the periodical within the volume

JAN 2023

Country of publishing house

CZ - CZECH REPUBLIC

Number of pages

11

Pages from-to

1583-1593

UT code for WoS article

000911163400001

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-85177051679