Scholarlink

<p>Assessing reproductive status and the nutrient allocation strategies animals use to reproduce is integral for evaluating their vulnerability to environmental change; however, the elusive nature of many animals hinders our ability to assess the impact of these vital life history events on homeostasis. We developed a proxy for assessing&#xa0;protein balance in capital-breeding southern right whales (<i>Eubalaena australis</i>) based on carbon (<i>δ</i><sup>13</sup>C) and nitrogen (<i>δ</i><sup>15</sup>N) stable isotope analysis of amino acids (AA) in skin biopsy samples (n = 82) collected from free-ranging whales. Most AA in lactating females (cows) had higher <i>δ</i><sup>13</sup>C but lower <i>δ</i><sup>15</sup>N values in comparison to adult non-lactating females and adult males, suggesting they route fat stores for milk production and use protein reserves to maintain tissues. Lower AA <i>δ</i><sup>15</sup>N values are likely associated with protein sparing and/or modifications to the urea cycle to retain or recycle nitrogen during reproduction. Nursing calves had distinctive AA <i>δ</i><sup>13</sup>C and <i>δ</i><sup>15</sup>N patterns compared to cows and adults, likely driven by the acquisition of protein from milk and the use of maternal resources in utero to support the high metabolic demands associated with rapid growth. Adult males and non-lactating adult females had nearly identical AA <i>δ</i><sup>13</sup>C and <i>δ</i><sup>15</sup>N patterns, suggesting they use similar nutrient allocation strategies while fasting. Patterns in <i>δ</i><sup>13</sup>C and <i>δ</i><sup>15</sup>N values among AA yielded correct classification of demographic groups with 98% accuracy and identification of lactating cows with 100% accuracy, showing that this new method holds promise for identifying the reproductive status of capital breeding mammals.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Tracing nutrient allocation in capital breeding baleen whales using amino acid stable isotope analysis: a novel method to infer protein balance and reproductive status

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年11月6日

查看全文
  • Geraldine Busquets-Vass,
  • Emma L. Carroll,
  • Nico Lübcker,
  • Rochelle Constantine,
  • Simon Childerhouse,
  • C. Scott Baker,
  • Glenn Dunshea,
  • Mark Hindell,
  • Annabelle Cranswick,
  • David Lundquist,
  • Seth D. Newsome

摘要

Assessing reproductive status and the nutrient allocation strategies animals use to reproduce is integral for evaluating their vulnerability to environmental change; however, the elusive nature of many animals hinders our ability to assess the impact of these vital life history events on homeostasis. We developed a proxy for assessing protein balance in capital-breeding southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) based on carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotope analysis of amino acids (AA) in skin biopsy samples (n = 82) collected from free-ranging whales. Most AA in lactating females (cows) had higher δ13C but lower δ15N values in comparison to adult non-lactating females and adult males, suggesting they route fat stores for milk production and use protein reserves to maintain tissues. Lower AA δ15N values are likely associated with protein sparing and/or modifications to the urea cycle to retain or recycle nitrogen during reproduction. Nursing calves had distinctive AA δ13C and δ15N patterns compared to cows and adults, likely driven by the acquisition of protein from milk and the use of maternal resources in utero to support the high metabolic demands associated with rapid growth. Adult males and non-lactating adult females had nearly identical AA δ13C and δ15N patterns, suggesting they use similar nutrient allocation strategies while fasting. Patterns in δ13C and δ15N values among AA yielded correct classification of demographic groups with 98% accuracy and identification of lactating cows with 100% accuracy, showing that this new method holds promise for identifying the reproductive status of capital breeding mammals.