Impact of Day Length and Total Protein Content in the Diet of Farmed Fallow Deer (Dama Dama) on Their Plasma Mineral Level and Haematological Indices

Abstract

Blood is the main carrier of nutrients and the first indicator of changes occurring in an organism. Hence, the aim of the study was to demonstrate the effect of the day length and the total protein content in the diet for farmed fallow deer (Dama dama) on the selected mineral contents of the plasma and blood haematology. The investigation of farmed fallow deer revealed an increase in the level of red blood cells (RBC) and haemoglobin (HGB) induced by altered light conditions, which may the evidence stimulation of erythropoiesis by an increased concentration of androgens. The level of white blood cells (WBC) changed significantly in the control group, which was kept in the least favourable conditions, as indicated by leukocytosis. In the present study, animals exposed to a changed day length exhibited a significant increase in the plasma concentrations of most minerals (phosphorus -P, magnesium -Mg, copper -Cu, calcium -Ca, iron -Fe) after the winter period in the first year of studies, which indicates accelerated development of antlers in farmed fallow deer. However, there was no equally intensive increase in the plasma mineral content (except for Ca) in the same group of animals in the second year of the study. This probably resulted from the administration of adequate nutrition, which prevented changes in the blood mineral concentration despite the antler growth.

The Mineral Composition of Bone Marrow, Plasma, Bones and the First Antlers of Farmed Fallow Deer

“…Chemical analyzes of element determinations were performed in accordance with the descriptions contained in previous publications [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 14 ]. Briefly, the mineral concentrations in the tissues of fallow deer were determined by the aqua regia digestion (sample weight of 0.5 g) with a microwave digestion (Mars Xpress from CEM Corp., Matthews, NC, United States).…”

“…Nutrients transported by the circulatory system are built into the skeletal system, including the antlers of cervids. Nevertheless, blood is the main and first indicator of changes occurring in the organism because it has a transport function and ensures communication between various body systems and thus undergoes constant changes [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]. The bone marrow of young animals consists largely of hematopoietically active tissue (from immature cells which can develop into all types of blood cells), with relatively little fat.…”

Concentration of Macroelements and Trace Elements in Farmed Fallow Deer Antlers Depending on Age

“…The internal structure of fallow deer antlers was analyzed [ 43 , 44 , 45 ], as was how the fallow deer’s antler histology changed after castration [ 46 ]. A positive effect of mineral supplementation [ 47 ] or amino acids on the growth, mass and concentration of minerals in the first antlers of fallow deer has also been demonstrated [ 48 ]. However, little attention has been paid to the analysis of the mineral composition of the antlers of older males of this species.…”