14 research outputs found
Effect of lactation stage and concurrent pregnancy on milk composition in the bottlenose dolphin
Although many toothed whales (Cetacea: Odontoceti) lactate for 2â3 years or more, it is not known whether milk composition is affected by lactation stage in any odontocete species. We collected 64 pooled milk samples spanning 1â30 months postpartum from three captive bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus. Milks were assayed for water, fat, crude protein (TN Ă 6.38) and sugar; gross energy was calculated. Ovulation and pregnancy were determined via monitoring of milk progesterone. Based on analysis of changes in milk composition for each individual dolphin, there were significant increases (P<0.05) in fat (in all three dolphins) and crude protein (in two of three), and a decrease (P<0.05) in water (in two of three) over the course of lactation, but the sugar content did not change. In all three animals, the energy content was positively correlated with month of lactation, but the percentage of energy provided by crude protein declined slightly but significantly (P<0.05). At mid-lactation (7â12 months postpartum, n=17), milk averaged 73.0±1.0% water, 12.8±1.0% fat, 8.9±0.5% crude protein, 1.0±0.1% sugar, 1.76±0.09 kcal gâ1 (=7.25 kJ gâ1) and 30.3±1.3% protein:energy per cent. This protein:energy per cent was surprisingly high compared with other cetaceans and in relation to the growth rates of calves. Milk progesterone indicated that dolphins ovulated and conceived between 413 and 673 days postpartum, following an increase in milk energy density. The significance of these observed compositional changes to calf nutrition will depend on the amounts of milk produced at different stages of lactation, and how milk composition and yield are influenced by sampling procedure, maternal diet and maternal condition, none of which are known
Basement membrane proteoglycans: Modulators Par Excellence of cancer growth and angiogenesis
THE CAYAPA INDIANS OF ECUADOR: A GENETICALLY ISOLATED GROUP WITH UNEXPECTED COMPLEMENT C7 M/N ALLELE FREQUENCIES
Simulation of soil organic carbon changes in Vertisols under conservation tillage using the RothC model
Comparison of analytical and predictive methods for water, protein, fat, sugar, and gross energy in marine mammal milk
Bio-char Sequestration in Terrestrial Ecosystems â A Review
black carbon, carbon sequestration, charcoal, emissions trading, global warming potential, greenhouse gas emissions, soils, terra preta de indio ,