非孕期圈养林麝粪样皮质醇激素变化及其指示作用

Fecal cortisol changes of captive forest musk deer in non-pregnant period with reference to its indicative role

于2010年4月底至9月中旬采集了陕西凤县圈养林麝的新鲜粪样,运用酶联免疫法(ELISA)测定了林麝非孕期的粪样皮质醇含量,探查林麝的应激生理状态。结果表明:圈养雌性林麝非孕期应激生理状态可以分为4个阶段(幼仔卧巢哺乳期、幼仔出巢哺乳期、幼仔单独饲养期、雌麝进入发情期),其中,雌麝于产后的幼仔卧巢哺乳期处于较高的应激生理状态(产后第2～4周),而雌麝与幼麝分离期处于较低的应激生理状态(产后第13～15周);与此对应,单独饲养且与育幼无关的雄麝仅于饲料更换阶段(5月份)表现出一定的应激生理水平增高。分析得出,非孕期圈养林麝粪样皮质醇水平变化与重要的时间相联系,是导致应激生理状态变化的主导因素。认为圈养林麝非孕期应以雌麝的管护为主,尤其处于较高水平的第1阶段,是育幼雌麝饲喂和管护的敏感时期。

This research was conducted in the musk deer farm in Fengxian County of Shaanxi Province northeastern China. The fresh feces of experimental animals were sampled in their non-pregnant period from April to September in 2010, and measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays （ELISAs） to figure out the dynamics of the fecal cortisol to detect the physiological stress of captive musk deer. The results indicated that the stress states of captive musk deer in the non-pregnant period can be divided into four stages （lactation when cubs lying in the nest, lactation when cubs activating out of the nest, cubs being fed alone, females being entering estrus）. Females were in higher stress states during lactation （postpartum 2-4 weeks） when cubs lied in the nest, and in lower stress when cubs were fed alone （postpartum 13-15 weeks）. In the same term, males kept apart from nursing cubs only showed slight increase of stress in May, which was possibly due to change of feeding materials from dry to fresh leaves at the time. Accordingly we conclude that the fecal cortisol levels of captive forest musk deer during non- pregnant are associated with some important factors resulting in the changes of physiological stress. Therefore, based on these results, we suggest females might be taken more carefully in the first stage of cubs nursing as they are in a sensitive period of breeding and management.