Relationships among nutrition and reproduction and relevance for wild animals

Abstract

This review discusses aspects of feeding ecology, nutrition, and dietary husbandry that are particularly relevant to reproductive success in wild animals. Emphasis has been placed on recently published literature. Special attention has been given to requirements for energy and protein and the unique roles of essential amino acids, essential fatty acids, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, selenium, and vitamins A, C, D, and E. Information has been drawn from research with mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish, including the domestic and laboratory species that play such a large role in elucidating mechanisms connecting nutrition and reproduction.

Nutritional Factors Affecting Semen Quality in Felids

“…Cats depend on P roper nutrition is being increasingly recognized as a critical component of captive breeding programs for nondomestic cats. 1 In many cases, especially when commercial feline diets are not available, the lack of reproduction may serve as a sensitive indicator of nutritional deficiencies and provide an early warning for the development of diet-related pathologic conditions. If nutritional problems are not addressed, conservation and breeding programs may fail to achieve their tremendous potential.…”

“…2 Muscle meat is a good source of protein (see Table 33-2), but it is extremely low in calcium, resulting in an inverse Ca/P ratio (Table 33-3). 1 In felids, dietary calcium deficiency causes resorption of bone mineral, greatly reduced bone density, and ultimately metabolic bone disease. 28 Vitamin D synthesis in the skin of the cat (from 7-dehydrocholesterol) has not been demonstrated.…”

“…Muscle Meat Diet (Beef): Diet 1 1. Muscle meat needs to be supplemented with 1 multivitamin/mineral tablet (Centrum: From A to Zinc), 5 g calcium carbonate, and 10 g dicalcium phosphate for every 2 kg of meat.…”

Wolf Reproduction in Response to Caribou Migration and Industrial Development on the Central Barrens of Mainland Canada

“…By investigating the influence of these factors on birth and death rates, we gain insights that improve our understanding of dynamic populations in dynamic natural systems (Krebs, 1995). An important factor influencing reproduction is food availability for mothers and their newborn young (Robbins, 1993;Elmhagen et al, 2000;Allen and Ullrey, 2004).…”

Iodine and Selenium Contents in Skeletal Muscles of Red Deer (Cervus elaphus), Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) and Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) in the Czech Republic

“…Analytical determination of the content of trace elements in biological materials for diagnostic purposes and for the evaluation of their reserves in the organism is applicable in humans and in animals; reference values for game animals need to be established (Wilson and Grace 2002;Allen and Ullrey 2004). Functional requirements predetermine the preferential accumulation of iodine in the thyroid gland.…”