Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
Urinary 3-methylhistidine and Progressive Winter Undernutrition in White-tailed
Deer
by
Glenn D. DelGiudice 1, Ken D. Kerr 2, L. David Mech
3,
Michael R. Riggs 4, and Ulysses S. Seal 5
Abstract: Physiological indicators of muscle catabolism would aid assessment
of winter nutritional restriction of ungulates, and urinary 3-methylhistidine
has exhibited potential in this regard in several species. We examined the effect
of chronic moderate and severe nutritional restriction during winter on ratios
of urinary 3-methylhistidine:creatinine of seven, adult white-tailed deer (Odocoileus
virginianus) and the relationship of these ratios to urinary urea nitrogen:creatinine
ratios. Mean baseline estimates of urinary 3-methylhistidine: creatinine for
the control and severely restricted deer (0.043 and 0.086 µmol:mg, respectively)
were similar (P = 0.280), and remained unchanged in the control deer
throughout the study. In contrast, mean 3-methylhistidine:creatinine values
increased dramatically as nutritional restriction and cumulative mass loss progressed;
the quadratic component of the chronically restricted deer's data was significant
(P < 0.001). Likewise, there was a strong curvilinear relation (R2
= 0.82) between cumulative mass loss (up to 29%) of the pooled deer and urinary
3-methylhistidine: creatinine ratios. Further, urinary urea nitrogen:creatinine
ratios were strongly related to 3-methylhistidine:creatinine ratios (r2
= 0.89). Our study indicates that further investigation of 3-methylhistidine
as an indicator of physical condition and muscle protein breakdown is warranted.
This resource is based on the following source:
DelGuidice, Glenn D., Ken D. Kerr, L. David Mech, Michael R. Riggs, and
Ulysses S. Seal. 1998. Urinary 3-methylhistidine and Progressive
Winter Undernutrition in White-tailed Deer. Canadian Journal of Zoology
76:2090-2095.
This resource should be cited as:
DelGuidice, Glenn D., Ken D. Kerr, L. David Mech, Michael R. Riggs, and
Ulysses S. Seal. 1998. Urinary 3-methylhistidine and Progressive
Winter Undernutrition in White-tailed Deer. Canadian Journal of Zoology
76:2090-2095. Jamestown, ND: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
Online. http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/mammals/wtdeer/index.htm
(Version 18NOV99).
Table of Contents
1Forest Wildlife Populations and Research Group, Minnesota Department
of Natural Resources, Grand Rapids, MN 55744, and Department of Fisheries and
Wildlife, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, U.S.A.
2Forest Wildlife Populations and Research Group, Minnesota Department
of Natural Resources, Grand Rapids, MN 55744, U.S.A.
3MidContinent Ecological Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey,
Fort Collins, CO 80525, U.S.A.
Mailing address: North Central Forest Experiment Station, 1992 Folwell Ave.,
St. Paul, MN 55108, U.S.A.
4Section of Wildlife, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources,
Carlos Avery Wildlife Management Area, Forest Lake, MN 55025, U.S.A.
5Captive Breeding Specialist Group, World Conservation Union, Minnesota
Zoological Gardens, Apple Valley, MN 55124, U.S.A.
Correspond to:
Glenn D. DelGiudice
Forest Wildlife Populations & Research Group
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
1201 East Hwy. 2
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
Phone: (218)-327-4432
Fax: (218)-327-4181
e-mail: glenn.delgiudice@dnr.state.mn.us
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