Moulting and seasonal pelage variations in the raccoon dog

Korhonen, Hannu T.; Harri, Mikko; Asikainen, Juha

doi:10.4098/at.arch.84-7

Cited by 6 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 17 publications

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“…Body mass indexes (BMIs) were calculated from these data by the formula: BM (g)/length 3 (cm) ( Nieminen et al, 2002). This formula correlates (r s =1.000) to the amount of white adipose tissue (WAT) in the body (obesity index=100 × BM (g)/ (0.026 × length 3 (cm)) ( Korhonen et al, 1982; Nieminen et al, 2002).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproduction of the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) after feeding or food deprivation in winter

Asikainen

Mustonen

Nieminen

et al. 2002

Animal Physiology Nutrition

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The wild raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides, Canidae, Carnivora) goes through autumn fattening followed by winter sleep. Farmed raccoon dogs also exhibit autumn fattening but not winter sleep, as a result of daily feeding and lack of nests. We studied the effects of food deprivation and winter sleep or active winter feeding on the physiology and reproduction of farm-born raccoon dogs. Eighty-six animals were put on a 2-month fast in November-December. The fast caused no deleterious effects on the health of the raccoon dogs. In the spring the food-deprived animals had slightly more cubs per mated female than the fed animals. There was a significant negative correlation between the number of cubs obtained and the mean body mass of the females at the beginning of the mating season. The highest mean number of cubs was obtained by the females that weighed 5-7 kg. The results indicate that the raccoon dog is finely adapted to a long period of food deprivation in the winter. Furthermore, winter sleep and food deprivation could be introduced to farm conditions by providing the raccoon dogs with nestboxes and withholding food for a period of 6-8 weeks in mid-winter.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproduction of the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) after feeding or food deprivation in winter

Asikainen

Mustonen

Nieminen

et al. 2002

Animal Physiology Nutrition

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Seasonal reproductive endocrine profile of the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides)—effects of melatonin and food deprivation

et al. 2003

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The raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides, Canidae, Carnivora) is a middle-sized omnivore with excessive autumnal fattening and winter sleep. We studied adaptations of the species to boreal climate and photoperiod by following the plasma reproductive and thyroid hormone concentrations of farm-bred raccoon dogs (n=32) for 12 months. On August 16, 2000, and February 8, 2001, half of the raccoon dogs received continuous-release melatonin implants (the MEL group). The other half was sham-operated (the SHAM group). Between November 27, 2000, and January 25, 2001, half of the animals of both groups were fasted. The plasma testosterone concentrations of the MEL males peaked in February, a month earlier than in the SHAM males. Autumnal melatonin treatment also advanced the gestation period reflected by the plasma progesterone concentrations by seven weeks. Food deprivation in winter seems to accentuate the sex steroid response during the mating as the fasted males had higher testosterone concentrations than the fed males in February and March.

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A review of the physiology of a survival expert of big freeze, deep snow, and an empty stomach: the boreal raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides)

Mustonen

Nieminen

2017

J Comp Physiol B

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The raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) is an invasive canid originating from eastern Asia. Here, we review its physiological adaptations to wintering, with an emphasis on northern Europe, where the raccoon dog spends the coldest part of the year in winter sleep. The timing of physiological changes related to wintering is connected to photoperiod by melatonin. In preparation to winter, raccoon dogs display autumnal hyperphagia and fattening probably regulated by the interaction of several peptide hormones. Sufficient fat deposition is essential for survival through the cold season and for reproduction in spring. The wintering strategy includes alternating periods of physical activity and passivity. Effective arousal and foraging during warmer bouts are enabled by normoglycaemia. During active periods, raccoon dogs are opportunistic participants in the food web, and they mainly utilize ungulate carcasses, plant material, and small mammals. Preferred wintertime habitats include watersides, forests, wetlands, and gardens. However, many food items become limited in mid-winter and snow restricts foraging leading to a negative energy balance. During passivity, energy is preserved by denning and by modest metabolic suppression, probably enabled by decreased thyroid hormone levels. Sleepiness and satiety could be maintained by high growth hormone and leptin concentrations. Several hormones participate in the extension of phase II of fasting with selective fatty acid mobilization and efficient protein conservation. The blood count, organ function tests, bone mass, and bone biomechanical properties exhibit high resistance against catabolism, and breeding can be successful after significant weight loss. The flexible physiological response to wintering is probably one reason enabling the successful colonization of this species into new areas.

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Moulting and seasonal pelage variations in the raccoon dog

Cited by 6 publications

References 17 publications

Reproduction of the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) after feeding or food deprivation in winter

Reproduction of the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) after feeding or food deprivation in winter

Seasonal reproductive endocrine profile of the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides)—effects of melatonin and food deprivation

A review of the physiology of a survival expert of big freeze, deep snow, and an empty stomach: the boreal raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides)

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