Abstract:

In the wild, giant pandas have access to a broad range of dietary options, however, for captive individuals, dietary options are greatly reduced. Maintaining a balanced diet, which includes the appropriate levels of micronutrients, is essential to the ex-situ conservation of the giant panda. Evaluating the micronutrient status of captive giant pandas at different feeding stages is a necessary step in constructing a scientific feeding strategy for this iconic species. In this study, seven healthy adult captive giant pandas were selected and fed bamboo leaves (bamboo leaf stage) and bamboo shoots (bamboo shoots stage) in turn. Feeding tests were carried out three times during the bamboo leaf stage and twice during the shoot stage. Each feeding test lasted for three days and the interval between each feeding test was 28 days. During the tests, the daily food intake of the giant pandas was recorded, the vitamin content of the bamboo that was provided was measured and corresponding mineral content was referenced so as to compare the daily intake of vitamins and minerals during the different feeding stages. Blood samples were collected at the end of each feeding stage, and the serum levels of 13 vitamins and 10 minerals were determined. In bamboo shoots, the contents of V_A, V_E, V_K1, nicotinic acid, pyridoxal and pyridoxine were lower, while the contents of V_B5 and V_B12 were higher than those in bamboo leaves (P < 0.05). Compared with the bamboo leaf stage, the daily intakes of V_E, V_K1, Ca, Fe, Cu and Mn decreased significantly, while the daily intakes of V_B5, V_B6, V_B7, V_B12, Mg and Zn increased significantly during the bamboo shoot stage (P < 0.05). Moreover, the serum levels of V_B2, Cr and Se were lower, while the levels of V_E, V_K1, V_B5, V_B7, V_B9 and V_B12 were higher during the bamboo shoot stage (P < 0.05). The results showed that feeding different bamboo parts could affect both the intake and serum levels of vitamins and minerals of captive giant pandas. The differences and patterns of micro-nutrition status between different bamboo feeding stages can provide a theoretical basis for the provisioning of bamboo as well as the nutritional supplementation in the daily feeding and management of captive giant pandas.

Key words: Giant panda, Bamboo, Captive animal nutrition, Vitamin, Trace element

摘要：

大熊猫在野外食物选择的广泛性远大于圈养个体。均衡饮食对于大熊猫异地保护至关重要，其中包括适当水平的微量营养素。评估圈养大熊猫不同采食期的营养状况，有助于构建科学的大熊猫饲养策略。本研究选取7只健康成年圈养大熊猫，依次饲喂竹叶 (竹叶采食期) 和竹笋 (竹笋采食期)。竹叶采食期进行3次饲喂实验，竹笋采食期进行2次饲喂实验，每次饲喂实验持续3 d，每次饲喂实验间隔28 d。实验期间记录大熊猫的日采食量，测定竹子的维生素含量并查阅其矿物元素含量，从而比较大熊猫在不同采食期的维生素和矿物元素日摄入量。各采食期结束时采集大熊猫血样，测定血清中13种维生素和10种矿物元素水平。结果发现：与竹叶相比，竹笋的V_A、V_E、V_K1、烟酸、吡哆醛及吡哆醇含量显著下降，V_B5和V_B12含量显著增加 (P < 0.05)。与竹叶采食期相比，竹笋采食期大熊猫的V_E、V_K1、Ca、Fe、Cu和Mn日摄入量显著降低，V_B5、V_B6、V_B7、V_B12、Mg和Zn日摄入量显著上升 (P < 0.05)；竹笋采食期大熊猫血清的V_B2、Cr和Se水平显著下降，V_E、V_K1、V_B5、V_B7、V_B9和V_B12水平显著增加 (P < 0.05)。采食竹子不同部位可影响圈养大熊猫的维生素与微量元素摄入和血清水平。不同采食期微量营养状况的差异和规律可为圈养大熊猫日常饲养管理中竹子供给、营养补充提供理论依据。

关键词: 大熊猫, 竹, 圈养动物营养, 维生素, 微量元素