Fluid and particle retention in a small New World and a small Old World cervid, the southern pudu (Pudu puda) and Reeves's muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi).

Ruminants differ in the pattern how small particles and liquids pass through their gastrointestinal tract, and in particular their reticulorumen (RR). Based on that they may be classified into 'moose-type' and 'cattle-type' species (smaller and larger differences between particle and liquid passage, respectively). The ratio between the retention of particles and fluids is called the 'selectivity factor' (SF) and is a species-specific characteristic, studied in tragulids, giraffids and bovids, but not in many cervid species.

Effect of amount of high-fibre pellet in the diet and bedding type on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, eating behaviour and rumination in bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus).

Two studies were conducted to determine the impact of the amount of high-fibre pellet (HFP) in the diet and bedding material on feed intake, eating behaviour, rumination, activity and resting behaviour, and also nutrient digestibility in bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus). In Study 1, bongo were fed meadow hay (ad libitum), lucerne hay (0.5 kg/day), browse (0.

Increased intake of mono- and disaccharides by Reeves's muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi). Effect on gastrointestinal tract structure and function and blood parameters.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of an increased mono- and disaccharide (MD) intake on selected functions and structure of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), and selected blood parameters in Reeves's muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi), a small browsing ruminant. Eighteen male muntjacs were fed diets consisting of lucerne (ad libitum), a high fibre pellet (100 g/day) and wheat bran (30 g/day) without (MD0) or with addition of 10 or 20 g of glucose, fructose and sucrose mixture/day (MD10 and MD20, respectively) for 14 days. MD dosages were set to increase intake of these saccharides by 25% and 50% relative to MD0, which resulted in a range of water-soluble carbohydrate content in the consumed dry matter from 7% to 12%.

Gene Expression Analysis with No Sequence Data: Study on Reeves's Muntjac ().

Despite scientific progress, the gene sequences for many species not commonly used in research have not yet been analyzed. This makes it difficult to carry out molecular studies on such animals, as the sequence of genes is the basic information used in many techniques. In this study, we attempt to design primers for a real-time PCR analysis, basing on a comparative analysis of selected gene sequences of species related to Reeves's muntjac () and by identifying highly conservative regions.

Effects of Using Corn Dried Distillers' Grains with Solubles (cDDGS) as a Partial Replacement for Soybean Meal on the Outcomes of Pig Fattening, Pork Slaughter Value and Quality.

The present study set out to determine the effects of incorporating cDDGS into starter, grower, and finisher diets (containing 5%, 10%, and 15% of cDDGS, respectively) on growth performance, carcass and meat quality, and cost effectiveness of pig fattening. Sixty-four pigs (mean body weight of 15.0 ± 2.

Ensiling of maple leaves and its use in winter nutrition of mantled guereza (Colobus guereza).

Young leaves are favored by mantled guereza (Colobus guereza) and the gastrointestinal tract of this species is well adapted to such a high fiber diet. Fresh maple leaves are often used in the diets for guereza in captivity but their use in winter feeding time is limited. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of additives on chemical composition and fermentation parameters of maple leaf silage, as well as inclusion of maple leaf silage in the diet for mantled guereza on feed and nutrient intake.

Effect of sugar and starch supplementation on feed intake and nutrient digestibility in addax (Addax nasomaculatus) and Reeves's muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi).

Two studies were conducted to determine the effect of the supplementation of sugar, starch or both on feed, nutrient and energy intake and total tract digestibility in four adult female addax (Addax nasomaculatus) and four adult male Reeves's muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi) - representatives of grazing and browsing ruminants, respectively. Studies in both species were conducted according to 4 × 4 Latin Square Design. Animals had free access to meadow hay (addax) or dehydrated chopped lucerne (muntjac), and were fed a restricted amount of a 'basal diet' consisting of: (1) wheat bran; (2) wheat bran and sucrose (source of sugar); (3) wheat bran and wheat (source of starch); or (4) wheat bran, sucrose and wheat.

Preference of intake of different tree leaves preserved with drying and ensiling by nyala antelope (Tragelaphus angasii).

It is recommended that browse should be an important part of diets for browsing and intermediate feeding type ruminants. However, provision of browse in winter time is problematic for many zoos located in the temperate climate. Drying or freezing of branches are commonly practiced solutions to this problem, but ensiling of tree leaves could also be an attractive option.

The effect of fructose supplementation on feed intake, nutrient digestibility and digesta retention time in Reeves's muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi).

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of fructose supplementation in the diet on feed intake, nutrient digestibility and digesta retention time in Reeves's muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi), a browsing cervid. In Experiment 1, six adult males of Reeves's muntjac were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design and fed a diet consisting of dehydrated chopped lucerne (ad libitum), high-fibre pellet (120 g/day) and wheat bran (30 g/day) without (F0) or with addition of 12 and 24 g fructose/day (F12 and F24, respectively). In Experiment 2, the same six adult muntjacs were used in crossover design and fed F0 or F12.

Digesta passage in nondomestic ruminants: Separation mechanisms in 'moose-type' and 'cattle-type' species, and seemingly atypical browsers.

Ruminants have been classified as having a 'moose-type' or 'cattle-type' digestive physiology. 'Cattle-type' ruminants have a clear difference in the mean retention time (MRT) of fluid vs. small particles in the reticulorumen (RR), with a high 'selectivity factor' (SF = MRT/ MRT, >1.