Reproduction Success Of Captive Alpine Musk Deer In Xinglongshan Musk Deer Farm

This study aims to explore the relationship between behavior, fecal hormone levels, other factors and reproduction in captived musk deer during breeding season in2011-2012. our research area located in Xinglongshan Nature Conservation in Gansu province, we selected15mating female musk deer as sample animals, on the basis of recognizing individuals, we recorded their behavior types (effective recording time,130h) and collected their fecal samples once a week. Then analysis cortisol level by Radio immunoasay (RIA), the results are as followed:1. The female musk deer in Xinglongshan Nature Conservation have clear reproductive rhythm. We could find this both by The index of behavioral diversity (r) and The frequency of behavior type. The index of behavioral diversity (Rutting period VS Late pregnancy,P=0.053), the behavior frequency (conflict interaction--DEF decreased during breeding season P=0.006; moving--MO decreased till give birth, then increased after brood period P=0.030; bedding ruminat--RUB increased during breeding season P=0.011), Furthermore, for the different period of The index of behavioral diversity, reproduction succeed musk deer have significant different than reproduction failed musk deer (succeed:Rutting period vs Late pregnancy, P=0.007).2. The fecal cortisol level decreased during breeding period (P=0.706), compared different period of breeding season, reproduction succeed deer (P=0.091). reproduction failed deer (P=0.204).3. In breeding season cortisol levels and index of behavioral diversity is negative correlation (Rcortisoi-r=-0.067), but not significant (P=0.915), Ante partum (RCoitisoi-r=-0.059) is not significant (P=0.842), post partum (Rcortisoi-r=-0.767) is significant (P=0.044).4. Compared to sexual maturity musk deer (Age1.5), body maturity musk deer (older than2.5..including2.5) have better reproductive expectations (33%VS50%), compared to musk deer which first mating,deers which have sexual experiences will have better reproduction expectation (first time mating:33%,have sexual experience:50%).5. Space and enrichment of capatived enviroment does not effect significant different on female musk deer’s behavior expression (P=0.049), but enviroment better area(bigger space and better enrichment) show lower fecal cortisol level than poor area (P=0.053).6. Density effect significant on deer’s behavior expression (P<0.01). The less the density, the higher the index of behavioral diversity (when captivity density is2, r=0.43±0.021; captivity density is5, r=0.35±0.0111). Density did not effect significant on deer’s fecal cortisol level (P=0.749).