The influence of Lysine and Methionine on fattening parameters and blood protein metabolites of fallow deer (Dama dama)

Lic. Mechie Ann Clar, BSc

Master's thesis

Abstract:

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of lysine and methionine supplementation on growth performance, body condition, carcass traits, and blood plasma metabolites of fallow deer during the fattening period, and to determine the influence of two culling seasons on these parameters. Forty five male fallow deer (40.2+-2.7 kg) were allocated into three groups with 15 animals each. The deer were pasture-fed and supplemented with barley, mineral premix, silage during winter period, and varying levels of ruminally-protected lysine and methionine: no amino acids (control), 9 g/day of lysine (Lys), and 9 g/day of lysine plus 3 g/day of methionine (Lys+Met). Animals were culled in two separate seasons, late autumn (LA; 6 animals per group), and second group on late winter (LW; 9 animals per group). Average daily gain (ADG) and weight gain showed no significant differences among treatments. However, significant decrease of ADG was observed on LW (p=0.002). Body condition score (p=0.024), kidney fat index (p=0.005), kidney fat (p=0.001), and percentage of internal fat (p<0.001) increased significantly with Lys+Met supplementation. During LW, kidney fat index (p=0.004) and kidney fat (p=0.001) were also significantly higher than in LA. Lys+Met supplementation increased (p=0.002) dressing percentage, and during LW (p<0.001) significant increase was observed. Carcass weight, bone proportion, and blood weight were affected by season of culling (p<0.05) but not by treatment. In deer that received Lys and Lys+Met supplementation, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and triglycerides concentration were elevated (p<0.001). Meanwhile, the increased concentration of creatinine were associated (r=0.450; p=0.019) with the BCS. In conclusion, supplementation of lysine and methionine to the diets may improve the body condition and metabolism of fallow deer, and the season of culling may influence on the production and physiology of the animals.

Keywords

Amino acids, Body conditions, Creatinine, Urea, Carcass traits

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 27. 4. 2017

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: doc. Francisco Ceacero Herrador, Ph.D.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences

Master programme / field:
Tropical Agriculture / Animal and Food Sciences in Tropics and Subtropics