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The Journal of experimental biology2006; 209(Pt 22); 4557-4565; doi: 10.1242/jeb.02535

Seasonal adjustment of energy budget in a large wild mammal, the Przewalski horse (Equus ferus przewalskii) I. Energy intake.

Abstract: Large ruminants respond to changing plant phenology during winter by decreasing voluntary food intake, increasing gut passage time and utilizing body fat reserves. It is uncertain, however, how other large mammals with a non-ruminant digestive physiology cope with winter forage conditions. Therefore, we investigated seasonality of energy intake in a large herbivorous wild mammal, the Przewalski horse (Equus ferus przewalskii). Throughout all seasons we used the n-alkane method to measure daily dry matter intake (DMI), diet composition and digestion, and determined an index of gut passage time in horses living under close to natural conditions. DMI correlated positively with its content of crude protein and nitrogen-free extract. Independent of these effects, DMI further varied seasonally with a peak in autumn and a nadir in late winter. Fluctuations of DMI corresponded to the annual change in body condition, which decreased during winter while energy reserves were depleted, and increased during the fattening period. Gut passage time varied in the course of the year and was longer during winter when the diet was high in crude fibre. Nevertheless, changes in gut passage time occurred rather independently of changes in forage composition and DMI, suggesting endogenous control for timely adaption of the digestive strategy to meet predictable changes in forage quality.
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Publication Date: 2006-11-03 PubMed ID: 17079725DOI: 10.1242/jeb.02535Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research outlines how a large, herbivorous wild mammal, the Przewalski horse, adjusts its energy intake, digestion and fat reserves throughout the year, with a focus on how it copes during winter. Essentially, the horse’s daily dry matter intake fluctuates seasonally to maintain balance in its energy budget amidst the changing qualities of forage.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers adopted the n-alkane method to track and measure the daily dry matter intake (DMI), diet composition, and digestion progress of the Przewalski horses throughout all the seasons in a year.
  • They also determined an index of the horses’ gut passage time – the time taken for the food to pass through a horse’s digestive system – under near-natural conditions.

Findings on Energy Intake

  • The Przewalski horses’ DMI evidenced a positive correlation with the presence of crude protein and nitrogen-free extract – meaning, the horses’ food intake increased when the diet had more of these components.
  • Furthermore, the DMI varied seasonally, reaching its highest in the fall and dropping to the lowest during the late winter. This variation notes an endogenously controlled response to changing forage quality over the seasons.
  • The researchers explain these DMI fluctuations as the horse’s adaptive strategy to maintain its body condition and energy budget through the different seasons.

Impact on Body Condition and Energy Reserves

  • The DMI fluctuations correlate with the changes in the horses’ body condition over the year. During winter, when DMI was low, the horses’ body condition decreased as their energy reserves were depleted.
  • Conversely, during fattening periods when DMI increased, the horses’ body conditions improved as they built up their energy reserves.

Gut Passage Time

  • The gut passage time recorded was the longest during winter, which was when the horses’ diets were rich in crude fibre.
  • Importantly, researchers found that shifts in gut passage time mostly occurred independently of changes in forage composition and DMI. This implies the horses’ digestive strategy adapts to predictable changes in dietary quality, suggesting endogenous control rather than an immediate response to diet adjustments.

This research provides insight into the complex, adaptive physiological strategies wild large herbivores like the Przewalski horse employ to cope with seasonal changes in the quality of available forage. It highlights the endogenous control of DMI and gut passage time as crucial survival mechanisms for such mammals during challenging forage conditions, particularly in winter.

Cite This Article

APA
Kuntz R, Kubalek C, Ruf T, Tataruch F, Arnold W. (2006). Seasonal adjustment of energy budget in a large wild mammal, the Przewalski horse (Equus ferus przewalskii) I. Energy intake. J Exp Biol, 209(Pt 22), 4557-4565. https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.02535

Publication

The Journal of experimental biology
ISSN: 0022-0949
NlmUniqueID: 0243705
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 209
Issue: Pt 22
Pages: 4557-4565

Researcher Affiliations

Kuntz, Regina
  • Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Savoyenstrasse 1, 1160 Vienna, Austria.
Kubalek, Christina
    Ruf, Thomas
      Tataruch, Frieda
        Arnold, Walter

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Animals, Wild / physiology
          • Diet
          • Dietary Fiber / administration & dosage
          • Digestion
          • Energy Intake
          • Energy Metabolism
          • Female
          • Horses / physiology
          • Male
          • Nutritional Status
          • Seasons

          Citations

          This article has been cited 24 times.
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