The Determination Of Fecal Steroid Hormone And Immunoglobulin Of Musk Deer

The distribution and population of Musk deer(Moschus moschiferus) has shrinking sharply, it is urgent to strengthen the production and management of Musk deer. And over the years, research has mainly focused on diet analysis, habitat selection, the structure of musk sac, musk secretion mechanism and the taxonomic status of the deer. Behavior, genetic, physiological and biochemical research involving musk deer were very little. Up to now, have not found research about physiology of the musk deer s stress, reproductive and immune. We conduct a preliminary study of the immunity, reproductive and stress physiology of12musk deer in White Mountains Rescue and Breeding center from July2011to April2012.Immune globulin(Ig) is a good indicator of the health state of wildlife. Three immunoglobulins(IgG,IgA,IgM) were detected in the fecal of musk deer,datas shows no significant change between different seasons. But there is no relationship between any two of the three immunoglobulins metabolites in feces contents.Glucocorticoid is stress hormone of animal. The level of glucocorticoid may reflect the state of the environment of which the animal living in. Animal body glucocorticoid levels showing seasonal fluctuations. Fecal cortisol metabolite levels of musk deer in rut season shows that, the peak glucocorticoid levels of musk deer in the rut period (November and December) were significantly increased, which is significant difference (P=0.000<0.01)form October and December.By Pearson correlation test found that fecal metabolite levels of IgG, IgA, IgM were not correlated to fecal cortisol.But there is a significant correlation between cortisol and sex hormones testosterone and estradiol.Annual quarter of the musk deer of sex hormones and the hormone cortisol, immunoglobulin change requires further research. The underlying value of the hormones and proteins can be used as an indicator for monitoring the health status of the animal’s body. Fecal hormones and immunoglobulins can be determined auxiliary analyzing the wildlifes health status and reproductive situation without contact the animal individual, which is contribute to the management and protection of the wildlife.