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The gut microbiota-immune-brain axis is a feedback network which influences diverse physiological processes and plays a pivotal role in overall health and wellbeing. Although research in humans and laboratory mice has shed light into the associations and mechanisms governing this communication network, evidence of such interactions in wild, especially in young animals, is lacking. We therefore investigated these interactions during early development in a population of common buzzards (Buteo buteo) and their effects on individual condition. In a longitudinal study, we used a multi-marker approach to establish potential links between the bacterial and eukaryotic gut microbiota, a panel of immune assays and feather corticosterone measurements as a proxy for long-term stress. Using Bayesian structural equation modeling, we found no support for feedback between gut microbial diversity and immune or stress parameters. However, we did find strong relationships in the feedback network. Immunity was negatively correlated with corticosterone levels, and microbial diversity was positively associated with nestling body condition. Furthermore, corticosterone levels and eukaryotic microbiota diversity decreased with age while immune activity increased. The absence of conclusive support for the microbiota-immune-brain axis in common buzzard nestlings, coupled with the evidence for stressmediated immunosuppression, suggests a dominating role of stress-dominated maturation of the immune system during early development. Confounding factors inherent to wild systems and developing animals might override associations known from adult laboratory model subjects. The positive association between microbial diversity and body condition indicates the potential health benefits of possessing a diverse and stable microbiota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the impact of water faecal contamination on highly threatened European brook lamprey larvae (Lampetra planeri). Water samples and the midgut contents of lampreys collected from a small lowland river upstream (site 1) and downstream from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) discharge (site 2) were analysed to check how the faecal microbial load of the habitat is reflected in the intestines of larval lampreys. The counts of viable mesophiles, psychrophiles, Escherichia coli and faecal streptococci as bacterial indicators of microbial (including faecal) water contamination were estimated. Microbial composition and abundance in larval midgut contents depended on the numbers of various microorganisms in the water environment. At site 2, the water was heavily microbiologically contaminated throughout the year by sewage inflow from the WWTP, and the amounts of studied bacteria were also high in the midgut of lampreys inhabiting site 2 regardless of the season. At site 1, water quality was better, and the levels of tested microbial indicators were lower in the intestines of the lampreys living there. The numbers of bacteria dependent on water temperature were growing in warmer seasons both in water and in intestines. Sewage pollution negatively influenced the condition of lampreys in site 2, where they exhibited lower body condition than in site 1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The list of standard abbreviations for JDS is available at adsa.org/jds-abbreviations-24. Nonstandard abbreviations are available in the Notes. Besides their lipid-digestive role, bile acids (BA) influence overall energy homeostasis, such as glucose and lipid metabolism. We hypothesized that BA along with their receptors, regulatory enzymes, and transporters are present in subcutaneous adipose tissue (scAT). In addition, we hypothesized that their mRNA abundance varies with the body condition of dairy cows around calving. Therefore, we analyzed BA in serum and scAT as well as the mRNA abundance of BA-related enzymes, transporters, and receptors in scAT during the transition period in cows with different body conditions around calving. In a previously established animal model, 38 German Holstein cows were divided into either a high (HBCS; n = 19) or normal BCS (NBCS; n = 19) group based on their BCS and back-fat thickness (BFT). Cows were fed different diets to achieve the targeted differences in BCS and BFT (NBCS: BCS <3.5, BFT <1.2 cm; HBCS: BCS >3.75, BFT >1.4 cm) until dry-off at 7 wk antepartum. During the dry period and subsequent lactation, both groups were fed the same diets according to their energy demands. Using a targeted metabolomics approach via liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-MS /MS, BA were analyzed in serum and scAT at wk −7, 1, 3, and 12 relative to parturition. In serum, 15 BA were observed: cholic acid (CA), chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), glycocholic acid (GCA), taurocholic acid (TCA), glycochenodeoxycholic acid (GCDCA), taurochenodeoxycholic acid, deoxycholic acid (DCA), lithocholic acid, glycodeoxycholic acid (GDCA), glycolithocholic acid, taurodeoxycholic acid, taurolithocholic acid, β-muricholic acid, tauromuricholic acid (sum of α and β), and glycoursodeoxycholic acid, whereas in scAT 7 BA were detected: CA, GCA, TCA, GCDCA, taurochenodeoxycholic acid, GDCA, and taurodeoxycholic acid. In serum and scAT samples, the primary BA CA and its conjugate GCA were predominantly detected. Increasing serum concentrations of CA, CDCA, TCA, GCA, GCDCA, DCA, and β-muricholic acid with the onset of lactation might be related to the increasing DMI after parturition. Furthermore, serum concentrations of CA, CDCA, GCA, DCA, GCDCA, TCA, lithocholic acid, and GDCA were lower in HBCS cows compared with NBCS cows, concomitant with increased lipolysis in HBCS cows. The correlation between CA in serum and scAT may point to the transport of CA across cell membranes. Overall, the findings of the present study suggest a potential role of BA in lipid metabolism depending on the body condition of periparturient dairy cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutrient requirements for lactation often lead to a negative energy balance accompanied by reduced body condition and fertility in cattle. A previous study identified an increased abundance of serum metabolites associated with tissue mobilization and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in postpartum beef cows with a thin versus moderate body condition. No studies, however, have measured ROS levels in the serum and follicular fluid of postpartum beef cows for comparison with body condition. We hypothesized that beef cows with a thin body condition would have elevated levels of ROS, as indicated by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), in serum and preovulatory follicular fluid. Serum and follicular fluid samples from thin (n = 12), moderate (n = 11), and obese (n = 16) cows underwent a H2O2 bioluminescence assay. Levels of H2O2 in each biofluid were then assessed to determine relationships with cow body condition and serum or follicular fluid metabolites. Levels of H2O2 did not differ among body condition categories. In thin cows, the serum H2O2 level was positively related to the abundance of 3 metabolites with antioxidant activity. Among all animals, the follicular fluid H2O2 level was positively associated with the abundance of 13 metabolites, many of which had antioxidant roles. The results suggest an impact of postpartum beef cow metabolism on ROS levels in preovulatory follicular fluid or serum and highlight the need for additional studies to further investigate this potential impactor of reproductive efficiency and sustainable beef production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parasites negatively affect the fitness of ungulate hosts directly, and in wild ungulates, these effects may be synzootic with other stressors, such as limited nutritional resources. In the Arctic, muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) occur in a highly seasonal environment and must rely on finite energetic resources for survival and productivity. We investigated the costs of gastrointestinal nematodes on the body condition and reproductive status of 141 muskoxen, on Banks Island, Canada, when the population was at a peak in numbers and density. Using a Partial Least Squares Path Modelling approach, we found that high adult nematode abundance was associated with lower body condition, and high parasite abundance was associated with female reproduction including the indirect effect through on body condition (n = 87). These findings suggest that individuals prioritize energetic reserves for reproduction over parasite defence. In fall 2003, a severe icing event that restricted access to forage was associated with high overwinter mortality of muskoxen and a population crash. Through direct and indirect costs of parasite infection on body condition and reproduction, the high abundance of parasites may have contributed to the effects of this extreme weather event. Understanding the mechanisms in which parasites impact fitness can help explain the ecological drivers of ungulate populations and predict the interactions between the environment and populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban areas, i.e. dense housing and reduced green spaces, can significantly impact avian health, through altering land use and increasing biotic and abiotic stress. This study assessed the association of urbanization on haemosporidian infections, vectors, immune response, and body condition in Parus major nestlings, across four classes of urbanization along an urban-to-rural gradient in Vienna, Austria. Contrary to our expectations, vector abundance remained consistent across the gradient, while an increase in leukocyte count is positively associated with total parasite intensity. We found that nestlings in more urbanized areas exhibited higher parasite intensity and altered immune response, as evidenced by variations in the heterophil to lymphocyte ratio and leukocyte counts. Culicidae female vectors were associated with nestlings' total parasites, scaled mass index, and industrial units. Nestlings in highly developed areas had higher infection rates than those in forests, suggesting increased exposure to infections. However, there was no clear relationship between total female vectors and total parasites. The level of urbanization negatively affected nestling body condition, with a decrease in fat deposits from forested to highly urbanized areas. Our findings highlight the complex interplay between urbanization, vector-borne parasite transmission, and host immune response, emphasizing the need for comprehensive urban planning to improve wildlife health and guarantee ecosystem functioning. Understanding how urbanization affects bird immunity and parasite infections is critical for adapting urban landscapes for wildlife health and ecosystem integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avian preen gland helps birds cope with their environment, although its overall functioning remains unclear. We shed light on the complexity of the preen gland's functioning by studying how multiple factors associate with gland morphology (size and shape) and physiology (wax secreted) in barn owls Tyto alba. Individual factors (sex, breeding stage, body condition) were more important predictors of preen gland than environmental factors (temperature, humidity, brood size). Sex, depending on breeding stage in adults, influenced preen gland traits, pointing to the preen gland's regulation by sex hormones and a greater pressure on females to protect their eggs, offspring and themselves throughout reproduction. Adults and fledglings in better condition had larger glands, pointing to the existence of physiological costs. Temperature and humidity, in interaction with plumage coloration, also influenced but to a lesser extent preen gland traits, suggesting that melanin pigmentation and preen gland act as superseding mechanisms when protecting plumage against microorganisms. Finally, fledglings living in larger broods had larger glands, suggesting a role for the social environment in preen gland's functioning. Overall, our study supports the idea that preen gland functions in diverse biological contexts within the same species and is thus subject to multiple selective pressures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Parasites negatively affect the fitness of ungulate hosts directly, and in wild ungulates, these effects may be synzootic with other stressors, such as limited nutritional resources. In the Arctic, muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) occur in a highly seasonal environment and must rely on finite energetic resources for survival and productivity. We investigated the costs of gastrointestinal nematodes on the body condition and reproductive status of 141 muskoxen, on Banks Island, Canada, when the population was at a peak in numbers and density. Using a Partial Least Squares Path Modelling approach, we found that high adult nematode abundance was associated with lower body condition, and high parasite abundance was associated with female reproduction including the indirect effect through on body condition (n = 87). These findings suggest that individuals prioritize energetic reserves for reproduction over parasite defence. In fall 2003, a severe icing event that restricted access to forage was associated with high overwinter mortality of muskoxen and a population crash. Through direct and indirect costs of parasite infection on body condition and reproduction, the high abundance of parasites may have contributed to the effects of this extreme weather event. Understanding the mechanisms in which parasites impact fitness can help explain the ecological drivers of ungulate populations and predict the interactions between the environment and populations.

Abstract Urban areas, i.e. dense housing and reduced green spaces, can significantly impact avian health, through altering land use and increasing biotic and abiotic stress. This study assessed the association of urbanization on haemosporidian infections, vectors, immune response, and body condition in Parus major nestlings, across four classes of urbanization along an urban-to-rural gradient in Vienna, Austria. Contrary to our expectations, vector abundance remained consistent across the gradient, while an increase in leukocyte count is positively associated with total parasite intensity. We found that nestlings in more urbanized areas exhibited higher parasite intensity and altered immune response, as evidenced by variations in the heterophil to lymphocyte ratio and leukocyte counts. Culicidae female vectors were associated with nestlings’ total parasites, scaled mass index, and industrial units. Nestlings in highly developed areas had higher infection rates than those in forests, suggesting increased exposure to infections. However, there was no clear relationship between total female vectors and total parasites. The level of urbanization negatively affected nestling body condition, with a decrease in fat deposits from forested to highly urbanized areas. Our findings highlight the complex interplay between urbanization, vector-borne parasite transmission, and host immune response, emphasizing the need for comprehensive urban planning to improve wildlife health and guarantee ecosystem functioning. Understanding how urbanization affects bird immunity and parasite infections is critical for adapting urban landscapes for wildlife health and ecosystem integrity.

The list of standard abbreviations for JDS is available at adsa.org/jds-abbreviations-24. Nonstandard abbreviations are available in the Notes. Bile acids (BA) play a crucial role not only in lipid digestion but also in the regulation of overall energy homeostasis, including glucose and lipid metabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate BA profiles and mRNA expression of BA-related genes in the liver of high versus normal body condition in dairy cows. We hypothesized that body condition and the transition from gestation to lactation affect hepatic BA concentrations as well as the mRNA abundance of BA-related receptors, regulatory enzymes, and transporters. Therefore, we analyzed BA in the liver as well as the mRNA abundance of BA-related synthesizing enzymes, transporters, and receptors in the liver during the transition period in cows with different body conditions around calving. In a previously established animal model, 38 German Holstein cows were divided into groups with high body condition score (HBCS; n = 19) or normal body condition score (NBCS; n = 19) based on BCS and backfat thickness (BFT). Cows were fed diets aimed at achieving the targeted differences in BCS and BFT (NBCS: BCS <3.5, BFT <1.2 cm; HBCS: BCS >3.75, BFT >1.4 cm) until they were dried off at wk 7 before parturition. Both groups were fed identical diets during the dry period and subsequent lactation. Liver biopsies were taken at wk −7, 1, 3, and 12 relative to parturition. For BA measurement, a targeted metabolomics approach with liquid chromatography electrospray ionization MS/MS was used to analyze BA in the liver. The mRNA abundance of targeted genes related to BA synthesizing enzymes, transporters, and receptors in the liver was analyzed using microfluidic quantitative PCR. In total, we could detect 14 BA in the liver: 6 primary and 8 secondary BA, with glycocholic acid (GCA) being the most abundant one. The increase of glycine-conjugated BA after parturition, in parallel to increasing serum glycine concentrations may originate from an enhanced mobilization of muscle protein to meet the high nutritional requirements in early lactating cows. Higher DMI in NBCS cows compared with HBCS cows was associated with higher liver BA concentrations such as GCA, deoxycholic acid, and cholic acid. The mRNA abundance of BA-related enzymes measured herein suggests the dominance of the alternative signaling pathway in the liver of HBCS cows. Overall, BA profiles and BA metabolism in the liver depend on both, the body condition and lactation-induced effects in periparturient dairy cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutritional status plays a vital role in regulating ovary activity. This regulation is mediated by the hypothalamus–pituitary–gonad axis and by effects exerted directly on the ovary. Therefore, to achieve the best reproductive performance, it is essential to know how the nutritional status affects the secretion of GnRH, gonadotrophins, and sex steroid hormones. Adequate body reserves and energy balance are critical for optimal reproductive performance in sheep and goats. However, over- or under-conditioned animals experience issues like extended anestrus, irregular ovarian cycles, and reduced conception. Body condition scoring allows for the evaluation of the relationships between adiposity, nutritional status, and fertility. Acute feed deficits briefly stimulate processes, but chronic restrictions suppress pulsatile LH release, disrupting ovarian function. The process of follicle development is a very complex one which involves intricate interactions between the pituitary gonadotrophins and metabolic hormones as well as between the locally produced factors by the ovarian somatic and germ cells including the IGF system and the TGF-β superfamily members. Genotype and nutrition are factors that have an impact on follicular development, and seasonal factors are also involved. This review will give a brief overview on how the body condition can be evaluated and the effects of nutrition on the hypothalamus–pituitary–gonad axis and ovarian activity, which are responsible for reproductive regulation. This paper presents a clear and reasonable summary of the pathway that runs from the nutritional status of small ruminants to ovarian activity through the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis. This review summarizes methods for body condition evaluation in small ruminants and evidence regarding acute versus prolonged nutritional impacts on the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis and ovarian activity controlling reproduction.

Abstract Background External tags, such as transmitters and loggers, are often used to study bat movements. However, physiological and behavioural effects on bats carrying tags have rarely been investigated, and recommendations on the maximum acceptable tag mass are rather based on rules of thumb than on rigorous scientific assessment. Methods We conducted a comprehensive three-step assessment of the potential physiological and behavioural effects of tagging bats, using common noctules Nyctalus noctula as a model. First, we examined seasonal changes in body mass. Second, we predicted and then measured potential changes in flight metabolic rate in a wind tunnel. Third, we conducted a meta-analysis of published data to assess effects of different tag masses on the weight and behaviour of bats. Results Individual body mass of common noctules varied seasonally by 7.0 ± 2.6 g (range: 0.5–11.5 g). Aerodynamic theory predicted a 26% increase in flight metabolic rate for a common noctule equipped with a 3.8 g tag, equating to 14% of body mass. In a wind tunnel experiment, we could not confirm the predicted increase for tagged bats. Our meta-analysis revealed a weak correlation between tag mass and emergence time and flight duration in wild bats. Interestingly, relative tag mass (3–19% of bat body mass) was not related to body mass loss, but bats lost more body mass the longer tags were attached. Notably, relatively heavy bats lost more mass than conspecifics with a more average body mass index. Conclusion Because heavy tags (> 3 g) were generally used for shorter periods of time than lighter tags (~ 1 g), the long-term effects of heavy tags on bats cannot be assessed at this time. Furthermore, the effects of disturbance and resource distribution in the landscape cannot be separated from those of tagging. We recommend that tags weighing 5–10% of a bat’s mass should only be applied for a few days. For longer studies, tags weighing less than 5% of a bat's body mass should be used. To avoid adverse effects on bats, researchers should target individuals with average, rather than peak, body mass indices.

The effects of recent climate change on the phenology of avian breeding and migration, geographical range shifts, and decreasing migration distances are well documented. Only a few studies have focused on the long-term influence of these changes on the body condition of migrants, which is important as it is likely to affect the fitness of the whole population. Eurasian blackcaps have adapted their migratory behaviour to changing ecological factors. These changes seem to favour the species and its migratory populations have increased over the last decades in Europe. In the present study, we analysed the body condition index of juvenile blackcaps at their stop-over site in the southern Baltic region during autumn migration from 1967 to 2006. This index was distinctly higher since the 1990s than in the middle of the 1960s, when the number of migrating blackcaps was at least twofold lower. Moreover, there was a reduction in recapture rates of blackcaps from 14% to 6% during these periods which may imply that warblers were staying for a shorter time at the stop-over site as their body condition was higher. We hypothesized that higher berry crop availability resulted in the higher condition of migrating blackcaps. Body condition index also reflecting fuel load in migrants was higher in long-distance blackcaps compared to the short-distance ones. As the former are time-minimizing migrants, their higher body condition/fuel load may allow them to migrate faster to wintering grounds in sub-Saharan Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutritional status plays a vital role in regulating ovary activity. This regulation is mediated by the hypothalamus–pituitary–gonad axis and by effects exerted directly on the ovary. Therefore, to achieve the best reproductive performance, it is essential to know how the nutritional status affects the secretion of GnRH, gonadotrophins, and sex steroid hormones. Adequate body reserves and energy balance are critical for optimal reproductive performance in sheep and goats. However, over- or under-conditioned animals experience issues like extended anestrus, irregular ovarian cycles, and reduced conception. Body condition scoring allows for the evaluation of the relationships between adiposity, nutritional status, and fertility. Acute feed deficits briefly stimulate processes, but chronic restrictions suppress pulsatile LH release, disrupting ovarian function. The process of follicle development is a very complex one which involves intricate interactions between the pituitary gonadotrophins and metabolic hormones as well as between the locally produced factors by the ovarian somatic and germ cells including the IGF system and the TGF-β superfamily members. Genotype and nutrition are factors that have an impact on follicular development, and seasonal factors are also involved. This review will give a brief overview on how the body condition can be evaluated and the effects of nutrition on the hypothalamus–pituitary–gonad axis and ovarian activity, which are responsible for reproductive regulation. This paper presents a clear and reasonable summary of the pathway that runs from the nutritional status of small ruminants to ovarian activity through the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis. This review summarizes methods for body condition evaluation in small ruminants and evidence regarding acute versus prolonged nutritional impacts on the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis and ovarian activity controlling reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Field Ornithology is the property of Resilience Alliance and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: External tags, such as transmitters and loggers, are often used to study bat movements. However, physiological and behavioural effects on bats carrying tags have rarely been investigated, and recommendations on the maximum acceptable tag mass are rather based on rules of thumb than on rigorous scientific assessment. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive three-step assessment of the potential physiological and behavioural effects of tagging bats, using common noctules Nyctalus noctula as a model. First, we examined seasonal changes in body mass. Second, we predicted and then measured potential changes in flight metabolic rate in a wind tunnel. Third, we conducted a meta-analysis of published data to assess effects of different tag masses on the weight and behaviour of bats. Results: Individual body mass of common noctules varied seasonally by 7.0 ± 2.6 g (range: 0.5–11.5 g). Aerodynamic theory predicted a 26% increase in flight metabolic rate for a common noctule equipped with a 3.8 g tag, equating to 14% of body mass. In a wind tunnel experiment, we could not confirm the predicted increase for tagged bats. Our meta-analysis revealed a weak correlation between tag mass and emergence time and flight duration in wild bats. Interestingly, relative tag mass (3–19% of bat body mass) was not related to body mass loss, but bats lost more body mass the longer tags were attached. Notably, relatively heavy bats lost more mass than conspecifics with a more average body mass index. Conclusion: Because heavy tags (> 3 g) were generally used for shorter periods of time than lighter tags (~ 1 g), the long-term effects of heavy tags on bats cannot be assessed at this time. Furthermore, the effects of disturbance and resource distribution in the landscape cannot be separated from those of tagging. We recommend that tags weighing 5–10% of a bat's mass should only be applied for a few days. For longer studies, tags weighing less than 5% of a bat's body mass should be used. To avoid adverse effects on bats, researchers should target individuals with average, rather than peak, body mass indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Warming temperatures in the Gulf of Alaska have been linked to recruitment failure in Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus), but the mechanisms and timing of mortality events for juveniles are unclear. To date, limited research has focused on overwintering success, and the knowledge of juvenile ecology and physiology is based entirely on summer observations. Here, we investigate the changes in body condition, diet composition, and tissue-specific fatty acid (FA) storage for age-0 Pacific cod in Kodiak, Alaska, from February to December during 2018 and 2020. We observed protracted nearshore residency from June to December. Cod body condition (K dry) and predicted weight at length were lowest in October, November, and December. Although not different interannually, diet composition varied seasonally, which corresponded to an increase in cod length. A range of condition metrics (HSIwet, FA concentration in liver tissue, and the % of whole body FAs stored in the liver) began to increase in September. Cod prioritized growth during the summer, while in the autumn and pre-winter they allocated more energy into lipid storage. We conclude that seasonal changes in tissue-specific FA storage and pre-winter fish conditions are important factors to consider for understanding overwintering potential of juvenile Pacific cod. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Migratory, long‐lived animals are an important focus for life‐history theory because they manifest extreme trade‐offs in life‐history traits: delayed maturity, low fecundity, variable recruitment rates, long generation times, and vital rates that respond to variation across environments. Galapagos tortoises are an iconic example: they are long‐lived, migrate seasonally, face multiple anthropogenic threats, and have cryptic early life‐history stages for which vital rates are unknown. From 2012 to 2021, we studied the reproductive ecology of two species of Galapagos tortoises (Chelonoidis porteri and C. donfaustoi) along elevation gradients that coincided with substantial changes in climate and vegetation productivity. Specifically, we (1) measured the body and reproductive condition of 166 adult females, (2) tracked the movements of 33 adult females using global positioning system telemetry, and monitored their body condition seasonally, (3) recorded nest temperatures, clutch characteristics, and egg survival from 107 nests, and (4) used radiotelemetry to monitor growth, survival, and movements of 104 hatchlings. We also monitored temperature and rainfall from field sites, and remotely sensed primary productivity along the elevation gradient. Our study showed that environmental variability, mediated by elevation, influenced vital rates of giant tortoises, specifically egg production by adult females and juvenile recruitment. Adult females were either elevational migrants or year‐round lowland residents. Migrants had higher body condition than residents, and body condition was positively correlated with the probability of being gravid. Nests occurred in the hottest, driest parts of the tortoise's range, between 6 and 165 m elevation. Clutch size increased with elevation, whereas egg survival decreased. Hatchling survival and growth were highest at intermediate elevations. Hatchlings dispersed rapidly to 100–750 m from their nests before becoming sedentary (ranging over <0.2 ha). Predicted future climates may impact the relationships between elevation and vital rates of Galapagos tortoises and other species living across elevation gradients. Resilience will be maximized by ensuring the connectivity of foraging and reproductive areas within the current and possible future elevational ranges of these species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The St. Lawrence Estuary (SLE) belugas (Quebec, Canada) are an endangered population whose numbers remain low despite ongoing conservation efforts. Multiple anthropogenic factors and changing environmental conditions are thought to have contributed to the recent 20-year decline in blubber fatty acid concentrations reported in stranded SLE belugas. Despite this evidence that energy reserves within the population are declining, there is currently no method for estimating the body condition of free-ranging animals. The potential metabolic consequences of declining fat reserves have also yet to be explored. The objectives of this study were to use unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based photogrammetry to estimate the scaled mass index (SMI) of free-ranging SLE belugas, and to compare this proxy of body condition to the lipidome of outerlayer blubber samples collected from the same individuals via remote biopsy darting. Morphometric analysis of aerial images (n = 44 SLE belugas), combined with data collected from animals under professional human care, produced SMI estimates (females: 807 ± 98 kg, males: 743 ± 39 kg) similar in range to those previously calculated for SLE beluga carcasses of known weight. A non-targeted lipidomic analysis followed by pathway enrichment analysis, identified metabolic pathways predicted to show altered activity in association with SMI in the blubber of free-ranging male SLE belugas (n = 27). Mapping of enriched pathways compared to the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) metabolic pathways maps, revealed that enriched pathways pertained to the metabolism of multiple lipid classes including fatty acyls and glycerophospholipids. Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and tyrosine metabolism pathways were also enriched in correlation with SMI. This study provides the basis for the development of a non-invasive technique for estimating the body condition of free-ranging SLE belugas and identifies metabolic pathways that merit further exploration to improve our understanding of the potential metabolic impacts of energy loss in cetaceans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucocorticoids are known to adjust organismal functions, such as metabolism, in response to environmental conditions. Therefore, these hormones are thought to play a key role in regulating the metabolically demanding aspects of reproduction, especially in variable environments. However, support for the hypothesis that variation in glucocorticoid concentrations predicts reproductive success is decidedly mixed. Two explanations may account for this discrepancy: (i) Glucocorticoids might not act independently but could interact with other physiological traits, jointly influencing reproduction, and (ii) such an association could become apparent primarily in challenging environments when glucocorticoid concentrations increase. To address these two possibilities, we determined natural variation in circulating baseline glucocorticoid concentrations in parental great tits (Parus major) alongside two physiological systems known to be related with an individual's metabolism: oxidative status parameters (i.e., concentrations of pro‐oxidants, dietary, and enzymatic antioxidants) and body condition. These systems interact with glucocorticoids and can also influence reproductive success. We measured these variables in two breeding seasons that differed in environmental conditions. When accounting for the interaction of baseline glucocorticoids with other physiological traits, we found a positive relationship between baseline glucocorticoids and the number of fledglings in adult great tits. The strength of this relationship was more pronounced for those individuals who also had high concentrations of the enzymatic antioxidant glutathione peroxidase. When studied independently, glucocorticoids were not related to fitness proxies, even in the year with more challenging environmental conditions. Together, our study lend to support the hypothesis that glucocorticoids do not influence fitness alone, but in association with other physiological systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article proposes an algorithm that allows the selection of prognostic variables from a set of 21 variables describing the health statuses of male and female students. The set of variables could be divided into two groups—body condition indicators and body activity indicators. For this purpose, we propose applying the multiple criteria decision methods WEBIRA, entropy-ARAS, and SAW in modelling the general health index, a latent variable describing health status, which is used to rank the alternatives. In the next stage, applying multiple regression analysis, the most informative indicators influencing health status are selected by reducing the indicator's number to 9–11, and predictor indicators by reducing their number to 5. A methodology for grouping students into three groups is proposed, using selected influencing indicators and predictor indicators in regression equations with the dependent variable of group number. Our study revealed that two body condition indicators and three body activity indicators have the greatest influence on men's general health index. It was established that two body condition indicators have the greatest influence on women's general health index. The determination of the most informative indicators is important for predicting health status and optimizing the health monitoring process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Milk price depends on the concentration of milk components, which are influenced by several factors. Objective: To determine the effect of cow intrinsic variables on the physicochemical composition of raw milk in a dualpurpose production system. Methods: Twenty-five 5/8 Holstein-Friesian × 3/8 Zebu (5/8H3/8Z) lactating cows aged 5-10 years and 1-6 births were selected. Body condition score (BCS) and milk production were recorded. Milk samples were taken throughout lactation from each cow at mid-milking every eight days. Milk composition analysis was carried out using an automatic Lacticheck equipment. Results: Average daily milk production per cow was 4.10 L, with 1.03 g/cm3 density, 32.70 g/L fat, 34.50 g/L protein, 50.20 g/L lactose, 91.30 g/L non-fat solids, and 127.00 g/L total solids. The BCS influenced milk composition (p<0.01). Cows with higher BCS (>3.25) showed greater density, protein and lactose, while BCS between 2.00 to 2.50 positively affected fat content (39.20 g/L). Elder cows had increased milk production. In early lactation, milk production was the highest with less fat percentage. Conclusion: Although cow production per day is low, milk composition from 5/8H3/8Z cows complies with the standards established in the Mexican norm and is considered to be of good quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates and compares the physiological and behavioral characteristics of Kundhi buffalo bull calves focusing on the impact of age and size. Ten bull calves, aged between 14 to 18 months were selected and categorized into two groups: Group A: young (up to 14 months), with 210kg average body weight, and Group B: smaller (up to 18 months) with 305kg average body weight. The body weight of Kundhi buffalo calves linearly increased from the 1st to the 7th fortnight, with significant differences (p<0.05) observed between the two groups. The final body weight was higher in Group B (344.72 kg) when compared to Group A (262.04 kg). Similarly, scrotal circumference, girth, and length exhibited linear increases throughout the experiment with significant differences between the groups (p<0.05). Group B consistently showed larger scrotal circumferences (21.96 cm), girths (66.28 cm), and lengths (51.54 cm) compared to Group A (18.38 cm, 60.36 cm, and 47.44 cm, respectively). While testosterone and estradiol concentrations were non-significant (p>0.05) between the groups, they were higher in Group B (0.1504 ng/ml and 2.4724 pg/ml) than in Group A (0.1082 ng/ml and 2.2724 pg/ml). Behavioral observations, including nuzzling, sniffing, licking, bellowing, protrusion, and mounting, indicated higher scores in Group B. In both groups, mean nuzzling scores were (3.71 and 5.00), sniffing (0.28 and 1.28), licking (3.14 and 4.14), bellowing (0.85 and 2.14), protrusion (0.00 and 0.42), and mounting (0.00 and 1.28) in the "yes" category. These findings offer comprehensive insights into the physiological and behavioral differences influenced by age and size in Kundhi buffalo bull calves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Cientifica de la Facultade de Veterinaria is the property of Universidad del Zulia, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis, are eponymous larval mosquito predators. Their ability to colonize and survive in habitats that are uninhabitable by other potential predators allows them to naturally manage larval mosquito populations in most ground pools they are present in. However, effluent from residential onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTSs) appears to limit the presence of fish predators. This is especially problematic in Louisiana, where regulations allow the discharge of OWTS effluent into open drainage conveyances. To determine the effect of effluent on the capacity of mosquitofish for biocontrol in contaminated areas, we assessed the body condition metrics of populations from two effluent-exposed sites and two sites not exposed to effluent, determined the lethal effect of effluent-contaminated drainage water on fish, and measured the prey consumption rates in the presence of effluent. Female fish collected from effluent-impacted sites had a reduced somatic body condition and most females examined displayed masculinized anal fins resembling the male gonopodium structure. This trait was not seen in fish collected from the control sites and has not yet been documented in association with OWTSs or in the state of Louisiana. Fish from the control sites survived at effluent-contaminated water levels < 70%, and the prey clearance rates increased with dilution. Onsite wastewater treatment system effluent has significant effects on both the short- and long-term persistence of mosquitofish, their body composition, reproductive health, and larval mosquito consumption. These effects likely release mosquito larvae from suppression and may increase the threat of mosquito-transmitted pathogens in effluent-contaminated locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Draa barbel Luciobarbus lepineyi (Pellegrin, 1939), an endemic and unique cyprinid of the arid Draa river basin, southern Morocco, faces a range of multiple environmental stressors, especially in intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams (IRES). We assessed the effects of flow intermittence and salinisation on the somatic condition, and life-history traits in Draa barbels. We used the scaled-mass index (SMi) to evaluate the mean individual somatic body condition in nine populations. For three contrasted localities: Iriri (IR), Mghimima (MG), and Sid El Mokhtar (SM), we aged fish from scales and calculated von Bertalanffy growth parameters using the Beverton-Holt procedure. We used these parameters to estimate growth indices and performance, size and age at maturity, longevity, and mortality rates. Mean SMi decreased markedly with increasing salinity, revealing a normal condition at 0.4 PSU in IR, a poor condition in MG at 4 PSU, and a very poor condition at 10 PSU in SM. Growth rates (k) increased with salinity. Conversely, asymptotic lengths L∞ and growth performances (phi-prime, φ′) decreased with salinity and flow intermittency. The potential longevity tmax decreased with the increase in salinity. On the other hand, the mortality rate increased with flow intermittence and salinity. The Draa barbels in the saline IRES of the arid Draa basin compensate for the high mortality by growing faster but less efficiently. They mature at an earlier age and have shorter longevity. With this high life-history plasticity, the Draa barbel would constitute a good ecological indicator and a sentinel for salinisation in variable aquatic environments in the arid Draa river basin.

Wildlife contend with seasonal fluctuations in resource availability and have adapted survival and reproductive strategies to overcome resource limitations. Many northern ungulates are adapted to a dynamic nutritional landscape and rely on somatic reserves accumulated during the short growing season. Moose (Alces alces) populations in the boreal forest respond to variation in their nutritional landscapes that quickly change after wildland fires. We tested associations between somatic energy reserves of female moose and a suite of factors relevant to energy demands and nutrient availability after landscape scale wildland fires on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. From 2015–2022, we immobilized 97 individual, adult moose (n=163 early winter; n=98 late winter) and collected over 223,000 GPS locations. We evaluated if somatic energy reserves of cow moose were influenced by endogenous or exogenous energy demands, or access to moose forage to accumulate energy reserves. Cows that gave birth and lost their neonate(s) early in the summer had more early winter body fat (14.39% ± 0.24SE) compared with cows that gave birth and the neonate survived to 4-months-old (10.59% ± 0.34SE). Body fat measured in early winter was positively correlated with home ranges of cows during summer with a higher percent cover of aspen forage. Late winter body fat of cow moose was negatively correlated with home ranges with higher percent cover of aspen forage, but positively correlated with home ranges with higher percent cover of willows and shoulder season forages. Our results highlight that a suite of plant species and seral states is needed across the landscape for moose to accumulate and moderate the loss of somatic energy reserves over the year. Furthermore, our results emphasize the importance of shoulder season forages for moose when snow depth is low. Managing the nutritional landscape of the boreal forest through interagency wildland fire management could create a mosaic of seral states that enhances moose forage, while reducing wildland fire hazards along the wildland urban interface and providing ecosystem services.

The gut microbiota-immune-brain axis is a feedback network which influences diverse physiological processes and plays a pivotal role in overall health and wellbeing. Although research in humans and laboratory mice has shed light into the associations and mechanisms governing this communication network, evidence of such interactions in wild, especially in young animals, is lacking. We therefore investigated these interactions during early development in a population of common buzzards (Buteo buteo) and their effects on individual condition. In a longitudinal study, we used a multi-marker approach to establish potential links between the bacterial and eukaryotic gut microbiota, a panel of immune assays and feather corticosterone measurements as a proxy for long-term stress. Using Bayesian structural equation modeling, we found no support for feedback between gut microbial diversity and immune or stress parameters. However, we did find strong relationships in the feedback network. Immunity was negatively correlated with corticosterone levels, and microbial diversity was positively associated with nestling body condition. Furthermore, corticosterone levels and eukaryotic microbiota diversity decreased with age while immune activity increased. The absence of conclusive support for the microbiota-immune-brain axis in common buzzard nestlings, coupled with the evidence for stress mediated immunosuppression, suggests a dominating role of stress-dominated maturation of the immune system during early development. Confounding factors inherent to wild systems and developing animals might override associations known from adult laboratory model subjects. The positive association between microbial diversity and body condition indicates the potential health benefits of possessing a diverse and stable microbiota.

Avian preen gland helps birds cope with their environment, although its overall functioning remains unclear. We shed light on the complexity of the preen gland's functioning by studying how multiple factors associate with gland morphology (size and shape) and physiology (wax secreted) in barn owls Tyto alba. Individual factors (sex, breeding stage, body condition) were more important predictors of preen gland than environmental factors (temperature, humidity, brood size). Sex, depending on breeding stage in adults, influenced preen gland traits, pointing to the preen gland's regulation by sex hormones and a greater pressure on females to protect their eggs, offspring and themselves throughout reproduction. Adults and fledglings in better condition had larger glands, pointing to the existence of physiological costs. Temperature and humidity, in interaction with plumage coloration, also influenced but to a lesser extent preen gland traits, suggesting that melanin pigmentation and preen gland act as superseding mechanisms when protecting plumage against microorganisms. Finally, fledglings living in larger broods had larger glands, suggesting a role for the social environment in preen gland's functioning. Overall, our study supports the idea that preen gland functions in diverse biological contexts within the same species and is thus subject to multiple selective pressures.

Abstract Morphometric allometry, the effect of size on morphological variation, has been of great interest for evolutionary biologist and is currently used in fields such as wildlife ecology to inform management and conservation. We assessed American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) morphological static allometry across the Greater Everglades ecosystem in South Florida, United States using a robust dataset (~ 22 years) and investigated effects of sex, habitat, and sampling area on morphological relationships. Regression models showed very strong evidence of a linear relationship between variables explaining equal to or above 92% of the variation in the data. Most trait–size relationships (8 out of 11 assessed) showed hyperallometry (positive allometry) with slope deviations from isometry between 0.1 and 0.2 units while the other three relationships were isometric. Sampling area, type of habitat, and in a lesser extent sex influenced allometric coefficients (slope and intercept) across several relationships, likely as result of differing landscapes and ecosystem dynamic alterations and sexual dimorphism. We discuss our findings in terms of the biology of the species as well as the usefulness of our results in the context of ecosystem restoration and conservation of the species. Finally, we provide recommendations when using trait–length relationships to infer population nutritional—health condition and demographics.

ABSTRACT: In a previously established animal model, 38 multiparous Holstein cows were assigned to 2 groups fed different diets to achieve either a normal (NBCS) or high (HBCS) body condition score (BCS) and backfat thickness (BFT) until dry-off at −49 d before calving (NBCS: BCS 3.75 [3.82 ± 0.33] and BFT >1.4 cm [2.36 ± 0.35], mean ± SD). The groups were also stratified for comparable milk yields (NBCS: 10,361 ± 302 kg; HBCS: 10,315 ± 437 kg; mean ± SD). The cows were then fed the same diet during the dry period and subsequent lactation, maintaining the differences in BFT and BCS throughout the study. Using the serum metabolomics data, we created a classification model that identified different metabotypes. Machine learning classifiers revealed a distinct cluster labeled HBCS-PN (HBCS predicted normal BCS) among over-conditioned cows. These cows showed higher feed intake and better energy balance than the HBCS-PH (high BCS predicted high BCS) group, while milk yield was similar. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in the hepatic transcriptome of cows differing in serum-metabotype postpartum. We performed hepatic transcriptome analysis in cows from 3 metabolic clusters: HBCS-PH (n = 8), HBCS-PN (n = 6), and normal BCS predicted normal BCS (NBCS-PN, n = 8) on d 21 (±2) postpartum. Liver tissue from cows expressed a total of 13,118 genes aligned with the bovine genome. A total of 48 differentially expressed genes (DEG; false discovery rate ≤0.1 and fold-change >1.5) were found between NBCS-PN and HBCS-PH cows, whereas 24 DEG (14 downregulated and 10 upregulated) were found between HBCS-PN and HBCS-PH cows. The downregulated DEG (n = 31) in NBCS-PN cows compared with HBCS-PH cows are involved in biosynthetic processes such as lipid, lipoprotein, and cholesterol synthesis (e.g., APOA1, MKX, RPL3L, CANT1, CHPF, FUT1, ZNF696), cell organization, biogenesis, and localization (e.g., SLC12A8, APOA1, BRME1, RPL3L, STAG3, FBXW5, TMEM120A, SLC16A5, FGF21), catabolic processes (e.g., BREH1, MIOX, APOBEC2, FBXW5, NUDT16), and response to external stimuli (e.g., APOA1, FGF21, TMEM120A, FNDC4), whereas upregulated DEG (n = 17) are related to signal transduction and cell motility (e.g., RASSF2, ASPN, SGK1, KIF7, ZEB2, MAOA, ACKR4, TCAF1), suggesting altered metabolic adaptations during lactation. Our results showed 24 DEG between HBCS-PN and HBCS-PH in the liver. The expression of SLC12A8, SLC16A5, FBXW5, OSGIN1, LAMA3, KDELR3, OR4X17, and INHBE, which are responsible for regulating cellular processes was downregulated in HBCS-PN cows compared with HBCS-PH cows. In particular, the downregulation of SLC12A8 and SLC16A5 expression in HBCS-PN cows indicates lower metabolic load and reduced need for NAD+ biosynthesis to support mitochondrial respiratory processes. The upregulation of MAOA, ACKR4, KIF27, SFRP1, and CAV2 in the liver of HBCS-PN cows may indicate adaptive mechanisms to maintain normal liver function in response to increased metabolic demands from over-conditioning. These molecular differences underscore the existence of distinct metabolic types in cows and provide evidence for the role of the liver in shaping different metabolic patterns.

Abstract Ophidiomycosis (snake fungal disease) is caused by the fungal pathogen Ophidiomyces ophidiicola, which causes dermal lesions, occasional systemic infections, and in some cases, mortality. To better understand potential conservation implications of ophidiomycosis (i.e., population-level effects), we investigated its impacts on individual fitness in a population of endangered eastern foxsnakes (Pantherophis vulpinus). We tracked 38 foxsnakes over 6 years and quantified body condition, movement patterns, oviposition rates, and survival. Body condition, distance travelled, and oviposition rates were similar between snakes with and without ophidiomycosis. Interestingly, snakes that tested positive for the pathogen travelled farther, suggesting that movement through a greater diversity of habitats increases risk of exposure. Ophidiomycosis did not negatively affect survival, and most apparently infected snakes persisted in a manner comparable to snakes without ophidiomycosis. Only one mortality was directly attributed to ophidiomycosis, although infected snakes were overrepresented in a sample of snakes killed by predators. Overall, our results suggest that ophidiomycosis may have sublethal effects on eastern foxsnakes, but do not suggest direct effects on survival, ovipositioning, or viability of the study population.

Abstract Background Reindeer herding in Norway is based on traditional Sámi pastoralism with the animals free ranging throughout the year. The animals move over large areas in varying terrain and often in challenging weather conditions. Winter crises, such as difficult grazing conditions caused by icing or large amounts of snow, are survival bottlenecks for reindeer. Calves are especially vulnerable, and many may die from starvation during winter crises. Predation and starvation are the predominant narratives to explain losses, however, carcasses are difficult to find and often little remains after scavenging and decay. Documentation of the causes of death is therefore scarce. Results In this study, we investigated the cause of reindeer mortality in Troms and Finnmark, Nordland and Trøndelag during 2017–2019. Necropsies (n = 125) and organ investigation (n = 13) were performed to document cause of death. Body condition was evaluated using visual fat score and bone marrow fat index. A wide range of causes of death was detected. The diagnoses were categorized into the following main categories: predation (n = 40), emaciation (n = 35), infectious disease (n = 20), trauma (n = 11), feeding related disease (n = 5), neoplasia (n = 4), others (n = 6) and unknown (n = 17). Co-morbidities were seen in a number of diagnoses (n = 16). Reindeer herders are entitled to economic compensation for reindeer killed by endangered predators, but a lack of documentation leads to a gap between the amount of compensation requested and what is awarded. An important finding of our study was that predators, during winter, killed animals in good as well as poor body condition. Emaciation was also shown to be associated with infectious diseases, and not only attributable to winter grazing conditions. Conclusions This study highlights the importance of examining dead reindeer to gain knowledge about why they die on winter pasture. The work presented herein also shows the feasibility and value of increased documentation of reindeer losses during winter.

Twenty-three morphometric characteristics of spiny-cheek crayfish Faxonus limosus from Danube, Serbia, were analyzed to describe the general body shape. Forty-eight specimens were caught in May 2022 and January 2023 and measured for morphometric variation. Also, the values of two crayfish condition indices, Fulton’s condition factor (FCF) and crayfish constant (CC), were determined. Most of the analyzed characteristics were moderately variable (CV 10-30%). Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to the morphological measurements. All the variables make similar contributions to the variance of the first principal component. The highest contributions are from variables CEF and ARL. ARW, CPH, ABH, CPW, and ROW significantly contributed to the second principal component variance. The population of spiny-cheek crayfish at the investigated site has a relatively stable age structure.

The effects of recent climate change on the phenology of avian breeding and migration, geographical range shifts, and decreasing migration distances are well documented. Only a few studies have focused on the long-term influence of these changes on the body condition of migrants, which is important as it is likely to affect the fitness of the whole population. Eurasian blackcaps have adapted their migratory behaviour to changing ecological factors. These changes seem to favour the species and its migratory populations have increased over the last decades in Europe. In the present study, we analysed the body condition index of juvenile blackcaps at their stop-over site in the southern Baltic region during autumn migration from 1967 to 2006. This index was distinctly higher since the 1990s than in the middle of the 1960s, when the number of migrating blackcaps was at least twofold lower. Moreover, there was a reduction in recapture rates of blackcaps from 14% to 6% during these periods which may imply that warblers were staying for a shorter time at the stop-over site as their body condition was higher. We hypothesized that higher berry crop availability resulted in the higher condition of migrating blackcaps. Body condition index also reflecting fuel load in migrants was higher in long-distance blackcaps compared to the short-distance ones. As the former are time-minimizing migrants, their higher body condition/fuel load may allow them to migrate faster to wintering grounds in sub-Saharan Africa.

Simple Summary: A critical issue is the significant decrease in productivity and heightened consumer awareness caused by the inadequate welfare of confined lactating water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). Providing supplementary feeding during milking (SFAM) helps alleviate the adverse effects of stall confinement on milk quality by enhancing welfare indicators like udder hygiene, body condition and milking behaviour. Additionally, SFAM has comparable benefits for second and third-calving buffalo cows. Implementing SFAM for barn-confined buffalo cows improves production outcomes, regardless of parity, positively impacting consumer perception. This study aimed to evaluate whether supplemental feeding at milking (SFAM) positively influences the quantitative−qualitative milk parameters due to improving some welfare assessment traits of multiparous Anatolian buffalo cows confined in semi-open free-stall barns. A total of 76 Anatolian buffalo cows at approximately 90 days in milk were selected to encompass four groups (OSF-2nd, NSF-2nd, OSF-≥3rd and NSF-≥3rd), considering offering (OSF) or not (NSF) supplemental feed at milking and the parity (2nd) and (≥3rd). Data of evaluated variables such as the following ones—(i) subjectively scored welfare assessment traits (temperament, udder hygiene and body condition), (ii) milk yield per milking (MYM), (iii) milk components, and (iv) milk physical traits—were analysed using a linear mixed model and principal component (PC) analysis. The OSF improved the temperament, udder hygiene and body condition scores compared to the NSF. The MYM, the fat content and the fat-to-protein ratio of the OSF were higher than those of the NSF, but milk mineral and electrical conductivity of the OSF were lower than those of the NSF. The parity of cows did not affect the evaluated variables. Four parameters (milk density value and lactose, solids-not-fat and protein contents) could be identified in the PC2 versus PC1 plot. In conclusion, the SFAM enhanced the milk yield and qualitative milk parameters due to improving the welfare status of indoor buffalo cows, regardless of parity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a previously established animal model, 38 multiparous Holstein cows were assigned to 2 groups fed different diets to achieve either a normal (NBCS) or high (HBCS) body condition score (BCS) and backfat thickness (BFT) until dry-off at −49 d before calving (NBCS: BCS <3.5 [3.02 ± 0.24) and BFT <1.2 cm [0.92 ± 0.21]; HBCS: BCS >3.75 [3.82 ± 0.33] and BFT >1.4 cm [2.36 ± 0.35], mean ± SD). The groups were also stratified for comparable milk yields (NBCS: 10,361 ± 302 kg; HBCS: 10,315 ± 437 kg; mean ± SD). The cows were then fed the same diet during the dry period and subsequent lactation, maintaining the differences in BFT and BCS throughout the study. Using the serum metabolomics data, we created a classification model that identified different metabotypes. Machine learning classifiers revealed a distinct cluster labeled HBCS-PN (HBCS predicted normal BCS) among over-conditioned cows. These cows showed higher feed intake and better energy balance than the HBCS-PH (high BCS predicted high BCS) group, while milk yield was similar. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in the hepatic transcriptome of cows differing in serum-metabotype postpartum. We performed hepatic transcriptome analysis in cows from 3 metabolic clusters: HBCS-PH (n = 8), HBCS-PN (n = 6), and normal BCS predicted normal BCS (NBCS-PN, n = 8) on d 21 (±2) postpartum. Liver tissue from cows expressed a total of 13,118 genes aligned with the bovine genome. A total of 48 differentially expressed genes (DEG; false discovery rate ≤0.1 and fold-change >1.5) were found between NBCS-PN and HBCS-PH cows, whereas 24 DEG (14 downregulated and 10 upregulated) were found between HBCS-PN and HBCS-PH cows. The downregulated DEG (n = 31) in NBCS-PN cows compared with HBCS-PH cows are involved in biosynthetic processes such as lipid, lipoprotein, and cholesterol synthesis (e.g., APOA1 , MKX , RPL3L , CANT1 , CHPF , FUT1 , ZNF696), cell organization, biogenesis, and localization (e.g., SLC12A8 , APOA1 , BRME1 , RPL3L , STAG3 , FBXW5 , TMEM120A , SLC16A5 , FGF21), catabolic processes (e.g., BREH1 , MIOX , APOBEC2 , FBXW5 , NUDT16), and response to external stimuli (e.g., APOA1 , FGF21 , TMEM120A , FNDC4), whereas upregulated DEG (n = 17) are related to signal transduction and cell motility (e.g., RASSF2 , ASPN , SGK1 , KIF7 , ZEB2 , MAOA , ACKR4 , TCAF1), suggesting altered metabolic adaptations during lactation. Our results showed 24 DEG between HBCS-PN and HBCS-PH in the liver. The expression of SLC12A8 , SLC16A5 , FBXW5 , OSGIN1 , LAMA3 , KDELR3 , OR4X17 , and INHBE , which are responsible for regulating cellular processes was downregulated in HBCS-PN cows compared with HBCS-PH cows. In particular, the downregulation of SLC12A8 and SLC16A5 expression in HBCS-PN cows indicates lower metabolic load and reduced need for NAD+ biosynthesis to support mitochondrial respiratory processes. The upregulation of MAOA , ACKR4 , KIF27 , SFRP1 , and CAV2 in the liver of HBCS-PN cows may indicate adaptive mechanisms to maintain normal liver function in response to increased metabolic demands from over-conditioning. These molecular differences underscore the existence of distinct metabolic types in cows and provide evidence for the role of the liver in shaping different metabolic patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fishery stock assessments are often based on morphometric data from underwater diver surveys and landing surveys. Measurements of body length are usually converted to estimates of body weight, yet length–weight equations might differ among localities. We evaluated morphometric models for the sea cucumber, Pearsonothuria graeffei, collected at Lizard Island on the northern Great Barrier Reef, Australia, and explored differences in relative condition factor (Kn) across animal sizes. The estimation of body weight was compared among relationships with four different body size metrics: observed body length, SLW (square root of the body length–width product), recalculated body length (Le) from SLW, and body basal area. The basal area of the animals, the SLW index and Le provided more reliable estimations for body weight than using body length alone yet accounted for half of the variation in body weight. The length–weight relationship from animals at Lizard Island differed considerably from relationships published for the same species in New Caledonia and Philippines. Body condition was variable, and our model predicted a peak at 35 cm body length. Body metrics such as basal area, SLW index, and Le could offer more precise models for estimating the body weight of sea cucumbers for fishery purposes. Equations for estimating body weight from length and width of the sea cucumbers should be based on locality-specific data because morphometric relationships are spatially variable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ophidiomycosis (snake fungal disease) is caused by the fungal pathogen Ophidiomyces ophidiicola, which causes dermal lesions, occasional systemic infections, and in some cases, mortality. To better understand potential conservation implications of ophidiomycosis (i.e., population-level effects), we investigated its impacts on individual fitness in a population of endangered eastern foxsnakes (Pantherophis vulpinus). We tracked 38 foxsnakes over 6 years and quantified body condition, movement patterns, oviposition rates, and survival. Body condition, distance travelled, and oviposition rates were similar between snakes with and without ophidiomycosis. Interestingly, snakes that tested positive for the pathogen travelled farther, suggesting that movement through a greater diversity of habitats increases risk of exposure. Ophidiomycosis did not negatively affect survival, and most apparently infected snakes persisted in a manner comparable to snakes without ophidiomycosis. Only one mortality was directly attributed to ophidiomycosis, although infected snakes were overrepresented in a sample of snakes killed by predators. Overall, our results suggest that ophidiomycosis may have sublethal effects on eastern foxsnakes, but do not suggest direct effects on survival, ovipositioning, or viability of the study population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sea ice, a central component of polar ecosystems, is undergoing profound changes due to climate change. In particular, the Arctic is experiencing unprecedented warming at quicker rates than other regions. This alarming trend of sea ice loss has dire consequences, with spill-over effects on the entire ecosystem, from phytoplankton to top predators. The complex and dynamic nature of sea ice gives rise to diverse habitats, each with the potential to affect larger ecosystems in different ways. However, our understanding of the relative importance of different ice types for higher trophic levels remains limited. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a comprehensive study of the effects of drift ice, landfast ice, and total sea ice extent (landfast ice + drift ice) on the body condition of six species of polar-breeding seabirds using long-term monitoring data (2003-2021) from Kongsfjorden, Svalbard. These species fell into two categories: Arctic species (Little Auk Alle alle, Brünnich's Guillemot Uria lomvia, and Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus) and "boreal" (or north temperate) species (Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla, Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus, and Great Skua Stercorarius skua). We found that the presence and extent of different types of sea ice may have different effects on seabird body condition. Though we did not find any relationship between total sea-ice extent and seabird body condition, drift ice and landfast ice extent did produce significant effects. For Arctic species, these effects were positive. For boreal species, the relationship between body condition and drift and landfast ice was more complex. Our study suggests that the use of a non-specific sea ice variable may mask the effects of sea ice on Arctic wildlife, highlighting the importance of not considering sea ice to be uniform and simple habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parasitic infections have the potential to impact the hosts' body condition, elevate physiological responses, and ultimately lead to increased mortality. Host-parasite interactions are tied to the ecological and life-history traits of the hosts. While montane birds are susceptible to avian blood parasites, few studies have simultaneously assessed how inter- and intra-specific traits of hosts influence their probability of parasite infection. In this study, we screened for avian blood parasites across 214 individuals from 51 species at two sites, including a lowland farmland at 700 m and a highland forest at 2,500 m, in the Gaoligong Mountains in southwestern China. Overall blood parasite prevalence was 53.74%, with divergent species-specific prevalence ranging from 6.25% to 66.67%. We also measured traits indicative of body condition and physiological responses of each sampled individual. Using Bayesian phylogenetic logistic models, we assessed whether parasite infection probability is associated with ecological and life history traits of host species. Larger bird species were more likely to be infected than smaller bird species, and omnivore species showed lower susceptibility than those with other diets such as insectivores and herbivores. In contrast, foraging strata, nest type, and participation in mixed-species flocks of host species did not affect infection probability. We then used a reduced sample of eight species with more than five individuals, to assess the associations between intra-specific infection probability and host body condition, represented by fat and muscle reserves, and acute stress responses measured through breath rate. While infected individuals were likely to have more fat reserves than non-infected individuals, we did not find any association between infection probability and muscle reserve and body mass, nor with breath rate. Our results revealed that at the species level, specific traits (body mass and diet) of host species predict infection probability and implied a potential link at the individual level between enhanced body condition and increased resilience to parasite infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Under field conditions, interactions occur between animals, parasites and the environment. Usually, only 30% of goats (over a dispersed distribution) display high gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) burdens. Hence, focusing on individual infection would allow better management of the impact of GINs. As acclaimed evolutionary biologist and natural historian S.J. Gould (1941–2002) once emphasized: "The Median Isn't the Message". The relationship between individual and herd GIN infection levels, nutritional and productive performance and anemia parameters in a tropical farm context were evaluated. Fifty-four female goats browsing the tropical forest (supplemented with balanced feed and chopped grass) were used. Measurements were obtained every 15 days (six samplings during the study); likewise, in each sampling time, the fecal samples were obtained in the morning [AM] and afternoon [PM] to assess the GIN burdens (eggs per gram of feces). The individual AM and PM values were similar and highly correlated at each sampling time. The nutritional and productive status fluctuated over time, although the median GIN burden of the flock was relatively constant. Nevertheless, the individual GIN burden differed when assessed at 30 d intervals; thus, these sampling points can be considered independent. Higher GIN burdens were associated with low body condition and low hematocrit. Moreover, the marked fluctuation of live weight should warn that nutrition is highly dynamic and could have a more important effect than GIN burden on the performance of goats under farm conditions in the tropics. We evaluated the relationship between individual and herd GIN infection level, nutrition, production performance and anemia parameters in a tropical farm context. Fifty-four female goats were monitored to assess their body condition score (BCS, nutritional status indicator), live weight (LW) and LW gain (LWG, both used as production level indicators), FAMACHA© and hematocrit (HT, both used as anemia indicators). Goats browsed for 4 h in a tropical forest and received balanced feed and chopped grass. The eggs per gram of feces (EPG) indicated the GIN burden, with fecal samples obtained at 7:00 (AM) and 15:00 h (PM.) from each goat at six sampling points during the study. The variables and their relationship with GIN burdens were analyzed using Kruskall–Wallis, ANOVA and Friedman tests and Spearman correlations. The fecal samples obtained in the AM and PM can be equally representative of parasitic burdens (similar and highly correlated). However, the EPG of individual goats from periods of 30 days apart can be considered independent. The BCS and LWG varied between sampling times (p < 0.05), whereas EPG, LW and HT did not (p > 0.05). The GIN burden was negatively correlated with HT and BCS (−0.21, p = 0.01 for each one). The individual pattern of infection demonstrates the true impact of GINs on their hosts. Additionally, feeding and nutritional status may present important variations influencing the performance of the goats more than the impact of GINs under the farm conditions of the present study. However, GIN infection contributed to the variation in goat health and productivity in this tropical farm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Reindeer herding in Norway is based on traditional Sámi pastoralism with the animals free ranging throughout the year. The animals move over large areas in varying terrain and often in challenging weather conditions. Winter crises, such as difficult grazing conditions caused by icing or large amounts of snow, are survival bottlenecks for reindeer. Calves are especially vulnerable, and many may die from starvation during winter crises. Predation and starvation are the predominant narratives to explain losses, however, carcasses are difficult to find and often little remains after scavenging and decay. Documentation of the causes of death is therefore scarce. Results: In this study, we investigated the cause of reindeer mortality in Troms and Finnmark, Nordland and Trøndelag during 2017–2019. Necropsies (n = 125) and organ investigation (n = 13) were performed to document cause of death. Body condition was evaluated using visual fat score and bone marrow fat index. A wide range of causes of death was detected. The diagnoses were categorized into the following main categories: predation (n = 40), emaciation (n = 35), infectious disease (n = 20), trauma (n = 11), feeding related disease (n = 5), neoplasia (n = 4), others (n = 6) and unknown (n = 17). Co-morbidities were seen in a number of diagnoses (n = 16). Reindeer herders are entitled to economic compensation for reindeer killed by endangered predators, but a lack of documentation leads to a gap between the amount of compensation requested and what is awarded. An important finding of our study was that predators, during winter, killed animals in good as well as poor body condition. Emaciation was also shown to be associated with infectious diseases, and not only attributable to winter grazing conditions. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of examining dead reindeer to gain knowledge about why they die on winter pasture. The work presented herein also shows the feasibility and value of increased documentation of reindeer losses during winter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canine obesity, a prevalent global health concern, is also on the rise in Colombia. However, there is limited data available on this issue. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity among dogs in Northern Bogotá, Colombia, and to identify key risk factors associated with this condition. A sample of 194 dogs was used. They were weighed, their body condition was evaluated, and their owners were surveyed about the habits of the dog. Results revealed 23.2% of dogs were overweight and 1.6% were obese. Through a logistic regression model, it was determined that the variables significantly related to this disease were daily physical activity and the condition of being neutered or spayed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is devoted to the study of mastopathy risk assessment in overweight dogs. According to histopathological verification, among malignant neoplasms, ductal carcinoma is the most common (25%, 95% CI: 22-28%), benign tumors are fibroadenoma (20.6, 95% CI: 19-23%), dysplasia / hyperplasia is ductal ectasia (22.8%, 95% CI: 19-27%). According to the results of the statistical analysis, 30.7% (95% CI: 25-36%) of overweight bitches suffered from mastopathy, 46.5% (95% CI: 40-54%) from benign neoplasia, and 52.7% (95% CI: 47-59%) from malignant mammary neoplasms. It was established that over the past 3 years (from 2020 to 2022), the incidence of fibrocystic disease in bitches with excess body weight increased from 18.8% (95% CI: 16-22%) to 41.0% (95% CI: 38-44%) against the background of a decrease among patients with optimal body weight from 72.3% (95% CI: 69-76%) to 49.7% (95% CI: 45-55%). The risk of mastopathy correlates with the degree of overweight: with the exceeding of the optimal condition within 20%, the incidence was 20.8% (95% CI: 17-24%), for 30-50% it was 30.8% (95% CI: 23-38%), and for more than 50% it was 48.4% (95% CI: 41-56%). Compared to bitches with malignant mammary tumors, average body mass indices in dogs with benign neoplasia and mastopathy are significantly higher (p < .05 and p < .001, respectively). The number of patients with mastopathy increases with age; the maximum indicators were set in 91-year-old (35.8%, 95% CI: 29-42%) and older 11-year-old (32.6%, 95% CI: 26-39%) animals. German shepherd, Labrador retriever, boxer, poodle, and dachshund females are the most susceptible to fibrocystic disease (12.5%, 10.0%, 9.2%, 8.3%, and 8.3%, respectively), as well as mixed breeds (13.4%). The dynamic increase in the number of overweight bitches suffering from mastopathy confirms the importance of obesity in its pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract Glucocorticoids are known to adjust organismal functions, such as metabolism, in response to environmental conditions. Therefore, these hormones are thought to play a key role in regulating the metabolically demanding aspects of reproduction, especially in variable environments. However, support for the hypothesis that variation in glucocorticoid concentrations predicts reproductive success is decidedly mixed. Two explanations may account for this discrepancy: (i) Glucocorticoids might not act independently but could interact with other physiological traits, jointly influencing reproduction, and (ii) such an association could become apparent primarily in challenging environments when glucocorticoid concentrations increase. To address these two possibilities, we determined natural variation in circulating baseline glucocorticoid concentrations in parental great tits (Parus major) alongside two physiological systems known to be related with an individual's metabolism: oxidative status parameters (i.e., concentrations of pro‐oxidants, dietary, and enzymatic antioxidants) and body condition. These systems interact with glucocorticoids and can also influence reproductive success. We measured these variables in two breeding seasons that differed in environmental conditions. When accounting for the interaction of baseline glucocorticoids with other physiological traits, we found a positive relationship between baseline glucocorticoids and the number of fledglings in adult great tits. The strength of this relationship was more pronounced for those individuals who also had high concentrations of the enzymatic antioxidant glutathione peroxidase. When studied independently, glucocorticoids were not related to fitness proxies, even in the year with more challenging environmental conditions. Together, our study lend to support the hypothesis that glucocorticoids do not influence fitness alone, but in association with other physiological systems.

The St. Lawrence Estuary (SLE) belugas (Quebec, Canada) are an endangered population whose numbers remain low despite ongoing conservation efforts. Multiple anthropogenic factors and changing environmental conditions are thought to have contributed to the recent 20-year decline in blubber fatty acid concentrations reported in stranded SLE belugas. Despite this evidence that energy reserves within the population are declining, there is currently no method for estimating the body condition of free-ranging animals. The potential metabolic consequences of declining fat reserves have also yet to be explored. The objectives of this study were to use unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based photogrammetry to estimate the scaled mass index (SMI) of free-ranging SLE belugas, and to compare this proxy of body condition to the lipidome of outer-layer blubber samples collected from the same individuals via remote biopsy darting. Morphometric analysis of aerial images (n = 44 SLE belugas), combined with data collected from animals under professional human care, produced SMI estimates (females: 807 ± 98 kg, males: 743 ± 39 kg) similar in range to those previously calculated for SLE beluga carcasses of known weight. A non-targeted lipidomic analysis followed by pathway enrichment analysis, identified metabolic pathways predicted to show altered activity in association with SMI in the blubber of free-ranging male SLE belugas (n = 27). Mapping of enriched pathways compared to the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) metabolic pathways maps, revealed that enriched pathways pertained to the metabolism of multiple lipid classes including fatty acyls and glycerophospholipids. Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and tyrosine metabolism pathways were also enriched in correlation with SMI. This study provides the basis for the development of a non-invasive technique for estimating the body condition of free-ranging SLE belugas and identifies metabolic pathways that merit further exploration to improve our understanding of the potential metabolic impacts of energy loss in cetaceans.

Environmental contamination is widespread and can negatively impact wildlife health. Some contaminants, including heavy metals, have immunosuppressive effects, but prior studies have rarely measured contamination and disease simultaneously, which limits our understanding of how contaminants and pathogens interact to influence wildlife health. Here, we measured mercury concentrations, influenza infection, influenza antibodies and body condition in 749 individuals from 11 species of wild ducks overwintering in California. We found that the odds of prior influenza infection increased more than fivefold across the observed range of blood mercury concentrations, while accounting for species, age, sex and date. Influenza infection prevalence was also higher in species with higher average mercury concentrations. We detected no relationship between influenza infection and body fat content. This positive relationship between influenza prevalence and mercury concentrations in migratory waterfowl suggests that immunotoxic effects of mercury contamination could promote the spread of avian influenza along migratory flyways, especially if influenza has minimal effects on bird health and mobility. More generally, these results show that the effects of environmental contamination could extend beyond the geographical area of contamination itself by altering the prevalence of infectious diseases in highly mobile hosts.

Deer hunting has traditionally had great relevance due to the diversity of resources obtained from it, such as meat. Our aim has been to analyse the total post-mortem weight, dressed carcass weight and carcass yield, as well as their variations as a function of years, sex, age and hunting season (autumn vs. winter). Also, predictive equations for carcass weight from total weight were performed. A total of 947 red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) of both sexes, hunted from 1989 to 1993 in the Quintos de Mora National Reserve, Spain, were analysed. Seasonal and interannual differences were detected in all weight measures and carcass yield, conditioned by sex, age and climatic factors such as temperature. In general, to obtain a higher meat yield deer extractions should be carried out in autumn. In addition, carcass weight variation (measured on cold carcasses dressed without head and feet, keeping skin, lateral diaphragm portions, fat deposits and legs) can be considered a good indicator of body condition that integrates seasonal nutritional gains and/or losses and long-term nutritional legacies. This index provides information on the animal's natural history and ecological environment conditions, making its standardized record an essential tool for monitoring wild game populations.