Dierenfeld Ellen S, Han Yadana A M, Mar Khyne U, Aung Aung, Soe Aung Thura, Lummaa Virpi, Lahdenperä Mirkka
Ellen S. Dierenfeld, LLC, St. Louis, MO 63128, USA.
School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Southwell NG25 0QF, UK.
Animals (Basel). 2020 Apr 22;10(4):725. doi: 10.3390/ani10040725.
The nutritional content of milk from free-living Asian elephants has not previously been reported, despite being vital for better management of captive populations. This study analyzed both milk composition and consumed plant species of Asian elephants managed in their natural environment in Myanmar. Longitudinal samples ( = 36) were obtained during both the wet and the dry season from six mature females in mid to late lactation in 2016 and 2017. Milk composition averaged 82.44% water, with 17.56% total solids containing 5.23% protein, 15.10% fat, 0.87% ash, and 0.18 µg/mL vitamin E. Solids and protein increased with lactation month. Total protein in milk was higher during the wet vs. the dry season. Observed factors linked with maternal (age, parity, size and origin) and calf traits (sex) had significant associations with milk nutrient levels. Primary forages consumed contained moderate protein and fiber. Higher dietary protein during the wet season (11-25%) compared to the dry season (6-19%) may be linked with increased milk protein observed. Our results call for further field studies of milk and diet composition, over entire seasons/lactation periods, and across maternal and calf traits, to improve feeding management, with an overall goal of maximized health and survival.
尽管亚洲象奶的营养成分对于圈养种群的更好管理至关重要，但此前尚未有关于野生亚洲象奶营养成分的报道。本研究分析了缅甸自然环境中管理的亚洲象的奶成分和食用的植物种类。在2016年和2017年的雨季和旱季，从六头处于泌乳中后期的成年雌性亚洲象身上采集了纵向样本（n = 36）。奶成分平均含水量为82.44%，总固体含量为17.56%，其中蛋白质含量为5.23%、脂肪含量为15.10%、灰分含量为0.87%，维生素E含量为0.18 µg/mL。固体和蛋白质含量随着泌乳月份增加。与旱季相比，雨季奶中的总蛋白质含量更高。观察到的与母象（年龄、胎次、体型和来源）和幼象特征（性别）相关的因素与奶营养水平有显著关联。食用的主要草料含有适量的蛋白质和纤维。与旱季（6 - 19%）相比，雨季（11 - 25%）较高的膳食蛋白质含量可能与观察到的奶蛋白质增加有关。我们的研究结果呼吁在整个季节/泌乳期以及跨越母象和幼象特征进行关于奶和饮食组成的进一步实地研究，以改善饲养管理，总体目标是实现最大程度的健康和生存。
