Blood biochemical Parameters in Male American
Mink (Neovison vison)
before and During the Breeding Season
Bogdan Lasota1*, Anna Maslowska1, Lidia
Felska-Blaszczyk2, Beata Seremak1, Malgorzata
Dziadosz1 and Bozena Mandziak1
1Department
of Biotechnology of Reproduction and Environmental Hygiene, 2Department
of Animal Anatomy, West Pomeranian University of Technology in
Szczecin, Poland *Corresponding author:
Bogdan.Lasota@zut.edu.pl
Abstract
Thisstudy was aimed at selected blood biochemical parameters in the male
American mink before (September-November) and during the breeding
(January-March) season. Blood from 143 Black and Sapphire male mink at one year
age was collected. The plasma was assayed
for the concentration of glucose, total protein, cholesterol, HDL and LDL
fractions, triacylglycerides (TG), and the activity of ALT and AST.
Concentrations of glucose, protein, total and HDL/LDL cholesterol, and AST
activity were generally slightly higher during the breeding season than during
the non-breeding season, but remained within the reference range. In the case of
ALT activity and TG concentration, the relations were reversed. The parameters
studied in the Sapphire mink showed greater variation, both in- and out of the
season. In Black and Sapphire males of the American mink, the studied parameters
revealed slightly higher values during the breeding season than the non-breeding
season. This will vary depending on the color variety. The decrease in TG
concentration during the breeding season may indicate an increased energy demand
due to ambient temperature falls, and/or may be a sign of increased energy
consumption associated with physical exertion during mating.
Consideration should be given to the nutrition of male
mink during the breeding season.
Key words:
Blood parameters,
Males,
Mink,
Reproduction, Season