Relationship between aggressiveness, fecal steroid levels and musk secretion in captive Alpine musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster)

doi:10.16829/j.slxb.150804

Abstract

Abstract: The development and expression of animal behavior are regulated by hormones. The personality traits of animals, such as aggressiveness are closely related to their hormone levels, which affects their growth and reproduction. This study was conducted from 2 October to 15 December 2021 at Xinglongshan Musk Deer Breeding Center of Gansu Province. The methods of focal sampling and all events recording were used to record the behavior of 53 male musk deer, and the levels of fecal steroids were detected by non-invasive sampling method. The relationship between the aggressiveness of male musk deer and the levels of fecal cortisol, testosterone, musk secretion and musk ketone were analyzed. The results showed that aggressiveness of musk deer was significantly positively correlated with cortisol level (r = 0. 311, P =0. 023). The level of cortisol in aggressive individuals (60. 41 ±2. 82) ng/g was significantly higher than that in less aggressive individuals (49. 35 ±4. 32) ng/g. There was a significant positive correlation between aggressiveness of musk deer and testosterone level (r = 0. 326, P =0. 017). The level of testosterone in aggressive individuals (101. 27 ±4. 94) ng/g was significantly higher than that in less aggressive individuals (84. 48 ±4. 10) ng/g. There was a significant negative correlation between aggressiveness of musk deer and musk secretion (r = -0. 282, P =0. 041). The musk secretion of less aggressive individuals (10. 62 ±0. 58) g was significantly higher than that of aggressive individuals (8. 28 ±0. 91) g. There was a significant negative correlation between aggressiveness of musk deer and muscone content (r = -0. 285, P =0. 039). The content of muscone in less aggressive individuals (1. 98 ±0. 18) % was significantly higher than that in aggressive individuals (1. 31 ±0. 23) %. Based on the results of this study, in the practice of musk deer domestication, it is necessary to avoid the strong aggressive individuals in the same group, and to optimize the community structure of captive musk deer based on the rapid assessment of aggression and the real-time monitoring of fecal hormones, so as to reduce the community stress of musk deer and improve the musk secretion of individuals. The results of this study can provide an important reference for ex-situ conservation of endangered musk deer and improving the production of medicinal musk.

Key words: Alpine musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster), Aggressiveness, Fecal steroid, Musk secretion, Musk ketone

摘要： 动物行为的发育和表达受激素调控，动物的攻击性等个性特征与其激素水平关系紧密，并影响其生长和繁殖。本研究于 2021 年 10 月 2 日至 12 月 15 日采用焦点动物取样法和全事件记录法对兴隆山马麝繁育中心 53 头圈养雄性马麝 (Moschus chrysogaster) 进行行为取样，结合粪样类固醇激素水平检测，分析雄麝的攻击性与粪样皮质醇水平、睾酮水平及麝香分泌的关系。结果表明：马麝的攻击性与粪样皮质醇水平呈显著正相关 (r = 0. 311,P =0. 023)，攻击性强的马麝个体皮质醇水平 (60. 41 ±2. 82) ng/g 显著高于攻击性弱的个体 (49. 35 ±4. 32) ng/g；攻击性与粪样睾酮水平呈显著正相关 (r = 0. 326, P =0. 017)，攻击性强的马麝个体睾酮水平 (101. 27 ±4. 94) ng/g 显著高于攻击性弱的个体 (84. 48 ±4. 10) ng/g；攻击性与麝香分泌量之间呈显著负相关 (r = -0. 282, P =0. 041)，攻击性弱的马麝个体麝香分泌量 (10. 62 ±0. 58) g 显著高于攻击性强的个体 (8. 28 ±0. 91) g；攻击性与麝香酮含量之间呈显著负相关 (r = -0. 285, P =0. 039)，攻击性弱的马麝个体麝香酮含量 (1. 98 ±0. 18) %显著高于攻击性强的个体 (1. 31 ±0. 23) %。基于本研究结果，在麝类驯养实践中，建群时要避免较强攻击性个体同处一群，并基于攻击性的快速评估及粪样激素的实时监测等，即时优化圈养麝的社群结构，减少麝群的社群胁迫，提升个体的麝香分泌。本研究结果可为麝类迁地保育的优化及药用麝香的可持续生产提供参考。

关键词: 马麝, 攻击性, 粪样类固醇激素, 麝香分泌, 麝香酮

CLC Number:

Q958.12

WANG Xiaolong, WU Jiayi, ZHOU Xin, Lü Qingxin, SHEN Liquan, GENG Shuo, MENG Xiuxiang. Relationship between aggressiveness, fecal steroid levels and musk secretion in captive Alpine musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster)[J]. ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA, 2024, 44(3): 344-350.

王晓龙, 吴佳忆, 周鑫, 吕青昕, 申立泉, 耿硕, 孟秀祥. 圈养马麝的攻击性与粪样类固醇激素水平及麝香分泌的关系[J]. 兽类学报, 2024, 44(3): 344-350.

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