Acta agriculturae Scandinavica. Section A, Animal science
Paginering:
Jaargang 44 (1994) nr. 3 pagina's 177-184
Jaar:
1994-08-01
Inhoud:
The relative growth rate of mink kits during the 42 day lactation period was evaluated. Postnatal development, including chemical composition of the body, relative weights of liver and digestive tracts, liver glycogen, plasma glucose and cortisol, was studied from birth until 5-6 days of age. A maximum relative growth rate of 23%/d was recorded between 1 and 2 days of age. The average over 42 days was 9%/d. Body fat content increased from 1.4% at birth to 4.4% at 5 days of age. Stillborn kits tended to have a lower fat content than live born. Nutrient and energy retention data indicated a ten-fold increase in fat, a doubled protein content, and a three-fold increase in energy retained from birth until 5 days of age. The liver and digestive tract made up 3.5 and 5.6% of body weight at birth, respectively, a ratio that increased to 5% (liver) and 6.5% (digestive tract) from 3 and 2 days of age. Liver glycogen tended to be lower in dead than in live kits and tended to increase from 1 to 2 and 3 days of age. Plasma glucose increased significantly from 4.5 mmol/l at birth to about 7.5 mmol/l from 3 days of age. Plasma Cortisol decreased from 20 nmol/l to about 5 nmol/l from 1 to 2 days of age.
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