Adaptations to fasting in the American mink (Mustela vison): carbohydrate and lipid metabolism

Mustonen, Anne‐Mari; Pyykönen, Teija; Paakkonen, Tommi; Ryökkynen, Ari; Asikainen, Juha; Aho, Jari; Mononen, Jaakko; Nieminen, Petteri

doi:10.1016/j.cbpb.2004.12.004

Cited by 51 publications

(65 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…In a study by Buskirk and Harlow (1989), it was found that the American marten has sparse fat reserves that do not change with season and that omental mass was a good indicator of nutritional status. In a pilot study by us on wild mink, the subcutaneous fat and omental fat showed a strong positive correlation (r=0.97) and the omental fat weighed on average 2 g. This differs from farmed mink, where the omentum can weigh as much as on average 47 g (Mustonen et al 2005). Interestingly, our data indicate that nutritional status of the animal is not a source of variance for the reproductive measurements in wild male mink.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 77%

Influence of age, nutritional status and season on the reproductive system in wild male mink (Neovison vison)

et al. 2011

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The objectives of this study on the reproductive system of wild male mink (Neovison vison) were to determine the influence of age, nutritional status and season on reproductive traits and to produce baseline data that may be used in environmental monitoring programmes. The 117 male mink included in the study were killed by hunters all over Sweden (from latitude 56°N to 67°N) during August to the end of April from 2005 to 2008. The weights of penis, testes, and epididymides were lower, the anogenital distance was shorter and the diameter of seminiferous tubules was less in juveniles compared with adult mink (p<0.0001-p=0.0024). There was a positive effect (p<0.05) of nutritional status on the baculum length and on the anogenital distance, but not on any of the other reproductive traits. The season of sampling influenced the penis, testes and epididymes weights and the diameter of seminiferous tubules (p=0.008-p<0.0001). During spring, 86% of the mink had sperm in their epididymides, whereas the corresponding figure for autumn was 3%; in addition, when the average diameter of the tubules reached 138 μm, sperm were present in the epididymides. Sperm morphology was analysed in 29 of the mink, and the percentage of morphologically defect sperm were generally low. Taken together, this study suggests that when assessing male reproductive data in wild mink populations, season must be taken into account as well as whether the individuals are juvenile or adult. In contrast, the nutritional status seems not to be of any major significance.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 77%

Influence of age, nutritional status and season on the reproductive system in wild male mink (Neovison vison)

et al. 2011

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“…An alternative hypothesis is that (notwithstanding the outliers) low WBC counts in FRAG groups reflect a weakened immune system due to underlying stress [including dietary differences among populations; Irwin, 2008a]. Several studies have shown that undernutrition causes reduced immune activity in mammals, including calorie-restricted captive rats [Cunha et al, 2003] and fasted captive American mink [Mustonen et al, 2005]. Undernutrition can also lead to increased infection prevalence and intensity [Coop & Kyriazakis, 1999]: for example, increasing protein intake decreases infection intensity of a helminth parasite in lactating ewes [Houdijk et al, 2009], and food supplementation decreases infection intensity of a helminth parasite in wild showshoe hares [Murray et al, 1998].…”

Section: Effects Of Habitat and Agementioning

confidence: 94%

Variation in physiological health of diademed sifakas across intact and fragmented forest at Tsinjoarivo, eastern Madagascar

Irwin

Junge

Raharison

et al. 2010

American J Primatol

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As undisturbed habitat becomes increasingly rare, managers charged with ensuring the survival of endangered primate species must increasingly utilize disturbed and degraded habitats in species survival plans. Yet we have an imperfect understanding of the true long-term viability of primate populations in disturbed habitat, and census data can be misleading because density is not necessarily correlated with habitat quality and population viability in predictable ways. Here we present clinical laboratory data on hematology, serum biochemistry, fat-soluble vitamins, minerals, iron analytes, viral serology, and parasitology of diademed sifaka (Propithecus diadema), derived from the capture of 26 individuals spanning eight groups and two habitats (undisturbed vs. disturbed and fragmented) at Tsinjoarivo, Madagascar. Blood from fragment individuals had significantly lower values for several factors: white blood cell counts, bilirubin, total protein, albumin, calcium, sodium, chloride, manganese, zinc, iron and total iron-binding capacity. Several biochemical variables were higher in immature individuals, probably due to active growth. The large number of interhabitat differences suggests that habitat disturbance has an impact on physiological health within this population, perhaps reflecting dietary stress and/or immunosuppression. These results, combined with previous data showing altered diet, slower juvenile growth, and reduced activity in disturbed forest fragments, suggest that fragment sifakas may be less healthy than continuous forest groups. Finally, Tsinjoarivo sifakas have extremely low blood urea nitrogen (perhaps reflecting protein limitation) and selenium levels relative to other lemurs. Despite their survival and reproduction in the short term in fragments, these sifakas may represent a riskier conservation investment than conspecifics in undisturbed forest, and may be more susceptible to environmental stressors. However, more data on the fitness consequences of these biochemical differences are needed for a better interpretation of their impacts on long-term viability prospects.

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“…), the ability to utilize body lipids may be limited (Mosin, '84;Mustonen et al, 2005a). In general, these species have a rapid lifestyle and high metabolic rate and they depend on continuous food availability.…”

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confidence: 98%

“…correlating strongly with the body adiposity of the species (Mustonen et al, 2005a The liver, kidney, muscle and fat samples were weighed and homogenized. Homogenization was carried out in cold citrate buffer for the glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase; pH 6.5) and glycogen phosphorylase measurements (pH 6.1) (Hers and van Hoof,'66).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Hyperthermia and increased physical activity in the fasting American minkMustela Vison

et al. 2006

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The aim of this study was to investigate the thermoregulatory adaptations to fasting in a medium-sized mustelid with a high metabolic rate and energetic requirements. Sixteen farm-bred female American minks, Mustela vison, were divided into a fed control group and an experimental group fasted for 5 days. The deep body temperature (T(b)) of the minks was registered at 10 min intervals with intraabdominal thermosensitive loggers and the locomotor activity was videotaped continuously for 5 days during the fasting procedure. The T(b) of the fasted animals increased during the first day of fasting and decreased during the second day. After 3-4 days of fasting, the levels of physical activity and T(b) of the fasted minks increased above the levels of the fed animals. Significant increases in these parameters were observed at the beginning of the working day on the farm, during the feeding of the fed animals and around midnight. It is concluded that the mink differs from previously studied homeotherms in thermoregulatory and behavioral responses to fasting probably due to its high energy requirements and predatory success.

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Adaptations to fasting in the American mink (Mustela vison): carbohydrate and lipid metabolism

Cited by 51 publications

References 33 publications

Influence of age, nutritional status and season on the reproductive system in wild male mink (Neovison vison)

Influence of age, nutritional status and season on the reproductive system in wild male mink (Neovison vison)

Variation in physiological health of diademed sifakas across intact and fragmented forest at Tsinjoarivo, eastern Madagascar

Hyperthermia and increased physical activity in the fasting American minkMustela Vison

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