Study of crude protein intake and growth response in captive subadult giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)

Publication Type:
 Journal Article
Year of Publication:
 2002
Authors:
 Xuanzhen Liu, Jianqiu Yu, Mingxi Li, Zhi Yang, Guanghan Li
Publication/Journal:
 Zoo Biology
Publisher:
 A Wiley Company, Inc., Wiley Subscription Services
Keywords:
 , , , ,
ISBN:
 1098-2361
Abstract:

Abstract 10.1002/zoo.10026.abs Feeding trials were conducted on seven subadult giant pandas (1.5–4.7 years old). The giant pandas consumed diets with 20 various levels of crude protein (CP): 132.9, 186.8, 206.0, 233.1, 251.4, 255.2, 288.5, 290.8, 299.1, 334.6, 370.7, 378.7, 379.9, 399.2, 372.6, 411.4, 436.1, 484.4, 509.3, and 563.7 g/day. According to the differences in the body weight (BW) gain (weight/month (W/M)) and the amounts of ingested CP, subadult giant pandas are divided into at least three age groups: 1.5–2.0, 2.5–3.9, and 4.0–4.7 years. Although there apparently is no direct relationship between the ΔW/M and the CP consumed by all the giant pandas, a linear relationship existed between the square root of CP ingested (g) per unit BW (W0.75, Kg) and weight gain per month (ΔW/M, Kg/M) of giant pandas aged 1.5–2.0 years. No such relationship existed in the giant pandas aged 2.5–4.7 years, but ΔW/M decreased with the increasing CP per unit gross energy (GE) consumed (CP/GE). For the 1.5–2.0-year-old giant pandas, CP for maintenance was determined at 3.6576 g/Kg W0.75/day when ΔW/M was 0, and CP for growth was 1.7541 g/Kg W0.75/day when ΔW/M was equal to 1 Kg/M; thus, suitable intake of total CP is 9.95 g/Kg W0.75/day. The average value of ingested CP was 13.54 ± 3.01 g/KgW0.75/day for 2.5–3.9-year-old pandas, and 12.25 g/KgW0.75/day for 4.5–4.7-year-old pandas. Zoo Biol 21:223–232, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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