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- Title
Effect of Dietary Immunomodulator on Captive White-Tailed (Odocoileus virginianus) Breeding Doe Performance and Hematological Variables.
- Authors
Adams, A. M.; Bigham, G. D.; Lawrence, T. E.; Richeson, J. T.
- Abstract
Stress in captive white-tailed breeding does may compromise their performance, alter immunity and increase death loss; a potential method to mitigate stress-induced losses in deer may be dietary inclusion of a supplement known to have immunomodulatory effects in other species (OmniGen-AF, Phibro Animal Health). This study was conducted over an 84-d period (15DEC15 to 8MAR16) at a private deer breeding facility in Texas. The 2 treatment diets were offered ad libitum via self-feeders located in each treatment pen (experimental unit) and consisted of a commercial deer breeder diet (AntlerMax, Purina Animal Nutrition) with no additive (CON) or the same breeder diet with OmniGen-AF included to achieve consumption of 6 g/doe/d (OG). The treatment feeding regimen began on d 2. On d 0, white-tailed does (n = 72) were assigned randomly to treatment pens of equal size (n = 3 pens/treatment) according to their chute entry order. A randomly selected subset population (6 does/pen) was used to determine body condition score (BCS) and complete blood count (CBC) on d 0, 42, and 84 and BW was determined for all deer on these days. The BCS was determined by palpating the ribs and a subjective score was assigned using a 1 to 5 scale. Blood was collected via jugular venipuncture into evacuated tubes containing EDTA and analyzed within 4-h using an automated hemocytometer to determine CBC variables. Data were analyzed with PROC MIXED and a repeated statement (day) was used for CBC variables to evaluate effects of treatment, day, and their interaction. There was a tendency (P = 0.10) for the OG treatment to have greater BW on d 84; however, both OG and CON lost BW from d 0 to 42 and d 42 to 84. Nevertheless, OG treated does had a greater (P = 0.05) BCS on d 42. There were no treatment differences (P ≥ 0.32) for CBC variables; however, day effects were observed for several CBC variables. Total leukocytes, neutrophils and neutrophil:lymphocyte (NLR) decreased with time (day effect; P ≤ 0.02). Total leukocytes were 7.58, 4.55, and 5.34 K/μL on d 0, 42, and 84, respectively. The NLR was 1.76, 1.21, and 0.78 on d 0, 42, and 84, respectively. Supplementation with OmniGen-AF had limited effect on BW and did not alter CBC variables measured in white-tailed breeding does used in this study. Overall, there were decreases in total leukocytes and other CBC variables and these data may provide a foundation for CBC reference range in captive white-tailed does.
- Subjects
WHITE-tailed deer; CATTLE breeding; ANIMAL nutrition; REPRODUCTION
- Publication
Journal of Animal Science, 2017, Vol 95, p49
- ISSN
0021-8812
- Publication type
Abstract
- DOI
10.2527/ssasas2017.099