Effects of crowding and sex on fecal cortisol levels of captive forest musk deer

Biological Research

Lin-Hai Li¹  Wen-Xia Wang¹  Shu-Qiang Liu¹  Lei Qi¹  Lan He¹  Gang Liu¹  De-Fu Hu¹  Bao-Qing Liu² 

[1] Beijing Forestry University;Breeding Centre of Forest Musk Deer in Pientzehuang;

关键词: Captivity;    M. berezovskii;    Fecal cortisol;    Chronic stress;    Crowding;   

DOI  :  10.1186/0717-6287-47-48

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

BACKGROUND: Restricted space and close contact with conspecifics in captivity may be stressful for musk deer, as they are highly territorial and solitary in the wild. So we tested the effects of crowding on stress of forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii) in heterosexual groups, using fecal cortisol analysis as a non-invasive method. 32 healthy adults during non-breeding seasons were chose as our experimental objects. Group 1 was defined as higher crowding condition, with 10-15 m²/deer (6 enclosures, 10♀ and 6♂); group 2 was defined as lower crowding condition, with 23-33 m²/deer (6 enclosures, 10♀ and 6♂). Every enclosure contained 1 male and 3 female. These patterns had been existed for years. RESULTS: The results showed that females in lower crowding condition (217.1 ± 9.5 ug/g) had significantly higher fecal cortisol levels than those in higher crowding condition (177.2 ± 12.1 ug/g). Interestingly, crowding seemed have no effect on male fecal cortisol levels (148.1 ± 9.1 ug/g and 140.5 ± 13.3 ug/g, respectively). At both groups, cortisol was significantly lower in males than in females. CONCLUSIONS: These results showed that chronic crowding may affect stress status of captive forest musk deer. The captive environment should consider the space need for musk deer.

【 授权许可】

Unknown