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Reproductive behaviour, hematologic profiles, testosterone level, and semen quality of male timor deer (Cervus timorensis Blainville) under captivity
Dissertation Abstract:
Four experiments were conducted to evaluate the reproductive behavior, phenotypic characteristics, hematologic profiles, testosterone concentration, and semen quality of male Timor deer in different dominant hierarchy groups. Twelve males (4.25 years old) and 24 females (3–4 years old) were randomly assigned into three separate cages following the ration of 4 males: 8 females.
Wilcoxon signed rank test and Kruskal-Wallis H test of non-parametric analyses were done for libido, reproductive behavior, phenotypic characteristics, hematologic profiles, testosterone level, and semen quality. Descriptive analysis was done for estrus behavior of female Timor deer.
The α-male was the dominant male in terms of aggressiveness, libido, and mating behaviors. Subordinate male showed the highest frequency of wallowing to reduce stress and of running around for expressing libido. Female Timor deer exhibited the highest estrus behavior activity on the second day of heat. Decreasing frequency of urination was observed to be sign of receptiveness of female Timor deer prior to mating. Successful mating was mostly exhibited by α-male. S2-male did not show actual mating. After establishment of dominance, the α-male showed increased neck circumferences (p < .05). The highest increase in hematocrit was observed in β-male (5%) and then followed by S2-male (4%). S2-male had the highest increase in hemoglobin (0.13 g/dl) while the α-male had the highest increase (p < .05) in testosterone level (4.33 ng/ml). Establishment of dominance hierarchy showed difference in reproductive behavior, neck circumference, and testosterone level without affecting their semen quality.