Ma. Asleson et al., EFFECTS OF SEASONAL PROTEIN RESTRICTION ON ANTLEROGENESIS AND BODY-MASS IN ADULT MALE WHITE-TAILED DEER, The Journal of wildlife management, 61(4), 1997, pp. 1098-1107
Seasonal dynamics in protein availability vary with latitude throughou
t the geographic range of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus),
but the effects of variability in the timing of protein availability o
n deer performance or antlerogenesis are understood poorly. We designe
d an experiment to examine the effects of a 12-week (spring or summer)
protein restriction on deer performance. Eighteen male white-tailed d
eer (greater than or equal to 2 yr old) were blocked by past antler si
ze, body mass, and age, then randomly assigned to one of 3 diet groups
(LH, HL, HH) composed of 2 dietary levels of crude protein (CP), low
(L, 7%) or high (H, 16%) during 1992-93. The HH group served as the co
ntrol, receiving a high protein diet during the antlerogenic period (M
ar-Aug) of each year. The LH and HL groups received a low protein diet
for a 12-week period in spring (LH) or summer (HL) and a high protein
diet in the opposite season. During fall and winter, all deer consume
d a medium protein diet created by mixing the experimental diets. Body
mass, feed intake, antler characteristics, and serum chemistries were
examined. No diet effects were found for any antler characteristic me
asured. Body mass varied by a diet-month interaction in 1992 (P = 0.04
) and in 1993 (P = 0.01), because deer on H diets from June to Septemb
er gained mass faster than deer on L diets for the same period. Rapid
gain of body mass was accomplished by increased feed efficiency rather
then increased feed intake. Final body mass did not vary by diet (P =
0.587). In general, serum chemistry levels were consistent with those
reported in the literature. Adult white-tailed deer compensated for a
12-week protein restriction within a 5-17-week realimentation period.
Greater treatment effects during the second year of the study suggest
ed cumulative effects of protein restriction on deer performance.