PHYSIOLOGICAL CORRELATES OF NEONATAL-MORTALITY IN AN OVERPOPULATED HERD OF WHITE-TAILED DEER

We examined the relationship of development, immunocompetence, and tic k burdens to neonatal mortality in an overpopulated herd of white-tail ed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) during 1990-1992 in northeastern Okla homa. Risk of mortality to 21 days of age was inversely related to bod y mass, body mass/length(3), delayed hypersensitivity to phytohemagglu tinin, and serum concentrations of gamma globulin and gamma-glutamyl t ransferase (GGTP) for young less than or equal to 3days old. Serum GGT P and gamma-globulin concentrations were the most significant predicto rs of mortality to 21 days of age using multivariate-logistic regressi on. Increased probability of mortality was associated with lower serum gamma globulin and concentrations of GGTP, which suggested that inade quate absorption of colostrum leads to a partial failure in the passiv e process of transferring immunity from mother to offspring, and predi sposes young to mortality agents among high-density herds.