Bisoniana 109. Seasonal changes in activity of some enzymes in the European bison Bison bonasus

Abstract

Seasonal changes in activity of some enzymes in the European bison Bison bonasusJanusz GILL Gill J. 1992. Seasonal changes in activity of some enzymes in the European bison Bison bonasus. Acta theriol. 37: 291 -300.The metabolic activity of the European bison, Bison bonasus (Linnaeus, 1758) is rather low, but it was shown that it possess the ability to adapt its metabolism to environmental factors, mostly to approaching winter. In 251 European bison of four age and sex groups seasonal changes in the activity of aldolase, acid and alkaline phosphatases, aspartate and alanine aminotransferases were studied. The seasonal cyclicity was found only in aspartate aminotransferase activity in all groups. In the aldolase activity the seasonal cycles were found in young females and in mature bison. Circannual changes were found in the acid phosphatase activity only in mature bison. The same was shown in the activity of alanine aminotransferase. Seasonal cyclicity was found in the alkaline phosphatase activity in males (young and mature). Ten out of 13 acrophases of cyclic indices occurred in the period from the beginning of September till mid-March, i.e. during cold time of the year. This indicates that at this period the bison's metabolism is adapted to cold weather.