圈养林麝粪样类固醇激素水平与麝香分泌的关系

基于非损伤取样和放射免疫法（RIA）,于2018年9月1日-10月15日期间对四川马尔康林麝繁育场的36头雄性圈养林麝（Moschus berezovskii）的粪样类固醇激素水平进行了检测,结合麝香分泌数据采集,探究了林麝的粪样睾酮和皮质醇水平与其麝香分泌的关系,结果表明：四川马尔康圈养林麝的麝香分泌（12.53±0.76）g（n=36）与粪样睾酮水平（106.03±12.34）ng/g（n=36）呈显著正相关（r=0.436,P < 0.01）,泌香较多雄麝（16.50±0.61）g（n=17）的睾酮水平（141.51±21.86）ng/g（n=17）显著地高于泌香较少（8.98±0.59）g（n=19）雄麝（74.27±7.93）ng/g（n=19）（t=-3.252,df=34, P < 0.01）,方程y=0.021x+10.270（R²=0.120,P < 0.05）可较好地拟合二者间关系。麝香分泌与皮质醇浓度（47.49±1.53）ng/g（n=36）相关不显著（r=0.078,P > 0.05）,泌香较多雄麝的皮质醇浓度（48.98±2.28）ng/g（n=17）略高于泌香较少雄麝（46.17±2.14）ng/g（n=19）,差异不显著（P > 0.05）,方程y=0.038x+10.730（R²=0.023,P > 0.05）可近似拟合皮质醇与泌香量间的关系。此外,雄麝睾酮水平对泌香量有显著影响（P < 0.05）,睾酮水平较高林麝泌香量（14.97±1.17）g（n=12）显著高于睾酮水平较低个体的泌香量（11.32±0.90）g（n=24）（F=4.79,P < 0.05）,而睾酮、皮质醇和年龄对麝香分泌的综合效应及变量间的交互作用均不显著（P > 0.05）。研究确定了圈养林麝粪样睾酮和皮质醇水平与麝香分泌量间的关系,可用于麝类驯养实践的麝香产量预测及品系选育。     

圈养马麝刻板行为表达与粪样类固醇激素的关系

2017年7月1日-8月31日及2018年6月1日-7月31日,在甘肃兴隆山保护区马麝繁育中心,采用焦点取样法和连续记录法进行了圈养马麝的刻板行为取样,采集同期粪样,并用放射免疫分析法（RIA）检测粪样中肾上腺皮质醇、睾酮及雌二醇激素的水平,分析了圈养马麝刻板行为表达与上述3种激素水平的关系。结果显示,展现刻板行为的圈养马麝的皮质醇水平（111.099 ± 16.231）ng/g略高于无刻板行为表达的马麝（95.640± 9.738） ng/g,差异未达显著（P> 0.05）;展现刻板行为雄麝的睾酮水平（135.900± 21.582）ng/g略高于无刻板行为的雄麝（108.182 ± 9.689） ng/g,差异也不显著（P> 0.05）;展现刻板行为雌麝的雌二醇水平（0.445 ± 0.116）ng/g显著低于无刻板行为雌麝（10.843 ± 1.142）ng/g（P< 0.05）。研究结果表明,圈养雄性马麝的刻板行为表达与其类固醇激素水平不相关;而雌麝的刻板行为表达与雌二醇分泌显著负相关,这与其繁殖及健康状况有关。在麝类驯养实践中,可将粪样类固醇激素水平（尤其是雌二醇）作为其受胁迫水平及行为健康的监测指标。     

兴隆山自然保护区麝场圈养马麝刻板行为的比较

于2001年3月—2002年1月,采用焦点取样法对甘肃兴隆山自然保护区麝场圈养马麝的刻板行为进行了研究。结果表明:该麝场的圈养马麝有刻板行为的发育,雌麝的刻板行为持续时间少于雄麝,但二者间的差异不显著。野捕马麝幼年期的人工哺乳经历使其刻板行为表达强度相对小于麝场圈养下繁殖马麝。年龄对雌雄麝的刻板行为表达强度的效应相似,亚成体马麝的刻板行为表达较多,成体马麝体的刻板行为表达相对较少,老年马麝刻板行为持续时间最长,2.5和4.5岁是圈养马麝刻板行为发育的关键时期。此外,能顺利繁殖的个体,其刻板行为表达的持续时间少于繁殖失败的个体。     

马麝 (Moschus sifanicus) 的分娩时间格局

甘肃兴隆山国家级自然保护区的野生马麝分娩从5月开始产仔,分娩季节(75%的分娩累计完成时间)长27天,平均分娩日期为5月31日±1.85天,气候和食物的季节变化决定野生马麝的分娩定时和同期化格局;保护区内的圈养马麝多在6月分娩,分娩季节长54天,同期化比野生马麝为弱,圈养马麝的分娩时间格局受气候、食物等因子的影响.此外,圈养种群内个体间的相互作用及各饲养区的管理模式也对马麝的分娩定时产生效应,性经历影响其分娩的时间格局,初产雌麝(primiparous)的平均分娩日期6月29日±4.29天,比经产雌麝(multiparous) 迟(6月19 日±1.47天).     

圈养马麝非繁殖季节胆量水平及与麝香分泌和繁殖成效的关系

2017年7月1日至8月31日,采用焦点取样和连续记录法,对甘肃兴隆山自然保护区马麝保育中心29头圈养马麝进行了行为取样,记录其行为发生持续时间及发生位点,根据动物在各位点对人为胁迫的应激程度定义其胆量水平,结合个体在各位点所占时间比例确定马麝个体的胆量值,分析性别、年龄等因素对其胆量的影响及胆量与麝香分泌和繁殖成效的关系.结果表明: 上等体况马麝胆量(1.731±0.347)显著大于下等体况(0.915±0.789);雄麝胆量(1.035±0.120)显著小于雌麝(1.901±0.391);亚成体马麝组的胆量(1.450±0.463)有高于成体组(1.093±0.321)和老龄组(1.430±0.189)的趋势,但差异未达显著水平.区分性别后,年龄组对马麝的胆量值仍无显著影响.独居马麝胆量(0.853±0.326)小于群居马麝(1.397±0.179),但差异不显著,群居个体胆量随密度增加而趋于降低.雄麝胆量与其麝香分泌呈负相关;雌麝胆量与年均产仔数略呈正相关,与空怀率呈显著负相关,即雌麝胆量越高,其空怀率越低.研究结果可为预测圈养马麝的麝香分泌及繁殖成效提供参考,也可为圈养动物个体胆量研究提供思路.     

甘肃兴隆山保护区野生马麝分布、数量特征及影响因素

综合采用样线法、粪堆计数法及重复调查法对甘肃省兴隆山国家级自然保护区的野生马麝（Moschus chrysogaster）进行了种群调查,结合生境分析,确定了其种群分布、数量特征及影响因素。结果表明,兴隆山保护区分布有野生马麝（1159±275）头,平均种群密度为（3.51±0.83）头/km²;各植被类型生境中的野生麝种群数量及密度存在差异,灌丛生境分布有70%的野生马麝种群,达（807±170）头,种群密度为（6.49±1.63）头/km²;针叶林种群密度最大,达（8.85±83.25）头/km²,分布有野生麝（123±45）头;针阔混交林分布最少,仅（41±15）头,种群密度为（5.00±1.84）头/km²;人工林生境无野生马麝分布。保护区各植被类型生境中的野生马麝种群分布差异反映了马麝对适宜生境功能的需求,食物、保温和隐蔽性是制约野生马麝冬季分布和种群数量的关键因素。此外,因生境及人为干扰强度的不同,保护区各区域的野生马麝种群分布存在差异。建议通过减少人为干扰、地表植被管理及人工林管理优化等措施增加生境适宜性,促进兴隆山自然保护区野生马麝种群的快速恢复和增长。     

野捕和圈养繁殖雄性马麝行为格局的比较

采用焦点取样和连续记录法,对甘肃兴隆山麝场圈养雄性马麝(Moschus sifanicus)进行行为取样,比较野捕和圈养繁殖雄性马麝的行为差异,并对雄麝在交配季节和非交配季节的行为时间分配进行分析.结果表明,由于圈养环境和管理模式相同,野捕和圈养繁殖马麝的总体行为格局类似,其时间和能量分配格局无本质差异,但由于幼年期的抓捕、人工哺乳及圈养方式等对其行为发育的影响,野捕雄麝的冲突行为表达强度显著高于驯产雄麝(P＜0.05).和非交配季节相比,雄麝在交配季节的静卧行为持续时间较少(P＜0.05),运动性增加(P＜0.05),摄食(P＜0.05)和反刍减少(P＜0.05),蹭尾标记及粪尿标记行为持续时间较长,增加了信息标记强度,且对相关的环境探究和尾阴探究等信息收集行为相应增加,但差异均不显著(P＞0.05).     

甘肃兴隆山保护区圈养雄性马麝繁殖性能的行为判别

2000年6月至2001年2月，采用焦点取样连续记录方法，对甘肃兴隆山自然保护区马麝（Moschus sifanicus）繁育中心的雄性马麝进行了行为取样。按马麝爬胯结果，将样本动物区分为爬胯成功雄麝和爬胯失败雄麝，并对两类群雄麝在非交配季节（6—10月）和交配季节（11月—翌年1月）的行为格局分别进行了比较分析。结果表明，在单位取样时间（5 min）内，爬胯成功雄麝在非交配季节的摄食行为持续时间显著少于爬胯失败雄麝，而静卧和蹭尾行为的持续时间显著多于爬胯失败雄麝。爬胯成功雄麝在交配季节的静卧时间显著少于爬胯失败雄麝，而攻击行为、蹭尾及粪尿标记的持续时间显著多于爬胯失败雄麝。根据以上结果，在麝类迁地保护和驯养实践中，雄性马麝的静卧和蹭尾行为（尤其是蹭尾）可以作为其爬胯成功度及繁殖性能的行为判别指标。这为马麝驯养实践，尤其是在提高配种雄麝选取的直观性及可操作性方面提供了量化行为参数。     

圈养高山麝种群年龄组的粪便光谱判别

提出了一种利用粪便可见-近红外反射光谱进行圈养高山麝种群年龄组分析的新方法.以FieldSpec~((R))3地物光谱仪采集了145份高山麝粪便(成体麝粪样45份,亚成体和幼体各50份)的光谱数据,将其随机分成训练集(100份)和检验集(45份).光谱经S.Golay平滑和一阶导数处理后以主成分分析法(PCA)降维.以前6个主成分(含原始光谱95.00%的特征信息)作为新变量,利用训练集样本,分别以Fisher线性判别、Bayes逐步判别以及BP-神经网络(BP-ANN)3种方法建立高山麝种群年龄组的分析模型.对检验集45个未知样的预测表明,BP-ANN模型判别的准确率最高,为84.44%.3种方法所建的模型对幼麝粪样判别的准确率最高,可达93.33%.分析发现亚成体粪样具有过渡性质,但幼麝粪样与成体粪样易于判别.结果表明,利用粪便的可见-近红外反射光谱进行高山麝年龄组的快速、非接触性判别是可行的,且PCA 结合BP-ANN判别是一种优选方法.     

圈养环境中不同来源成年雄性马麝的行为差异

于2004年8月--2005年1月,采用焦点取样和连续记录方法,对甘肃兴隆山自然保护区马麝(Moschus sifanicus)繁育中心的雄性马麝进行了行为取样.按照动物来源,将样本动物区分为野捕雄麝(17头)和圈养繁殖雄麝(6头),记录了静卧及站立凝视等12种行为的发生频次,并分别对其在交配季节和非交配季节的行为发生频率进行比较.结果表明,由于圈养环境和管理模式相同,甘肃兴隆山繁育中心的野捕和圈养繁殖马麝的总体行为格局类似,但由于幼年期人工哺乳等因素对其行为发育的影响,野捕雄麝在非交配季节和交配季节的冲突行为的表达频次显著多于圈养繁殖雄麝(P＜0.05),而圈养繁殖雄麝在交配季节的亲和行为极显著地多于野捕雄麝(P＜0.01).此外,雄麝在非交配季节的静卧行为发生频次极显著地多于交配季节(P＜0.01),而在交配季节的站立凝视、运动和环境探究及冲突的发生频次均极显著地比非交配季节多(P＜0.01).     

四川马尔康圈养林麝的刻板行为

在圈养环境下,迁地保育野生动物易发育刻板行为,刻板行为的发育可直接影响圈养野生动物的繁殖和存活,从而影响迁地保育。2016年5月1日至7月31日间,采用焦点取样及所有事件记录法对四川马尔康林麝繁育场的75头圈养林麝(Moschus berezovskii)进行了刻板行为取样,分析了性别、年龄、圈区环境、圈群结构等因素对其刻板行为的效应。结果表明,四川马尔康麝场的圈养林麝在单位取样时间(10 min)内展现的刻板行为持续时间占比为20.53%±2.43%(n=75);雌麝刻板行为持续时间占比(18.14%±3.26%,n=46)略低于雄麝(20.89%±3.98%,n=25);随圈养年限(本研究中的圈养林麝"年龄"即是"被圈养年数")增加,林麝展现刻板行为的持续时间显著增加(P0.05);圈区环境设施对刻板行为存在显著效应(P0.05),裸地基底圈舍中林麝的刻板行为持续时间占比最高(33.11%±6.16%,n=24);圈群结构对林麝刻板行为持续时间的影响不显著(P0.05),混合圈群的刻板行为持续时间(19.31%±3.18%,n=53)最小;圈群密度对刻板行为持续时间的效应不显著(P0.05)。增加圈养环境的植被覆盖,进行混合圈养,可有效降低圈养林麝的刻板行为强度,并可提升林麝迁地保育的有效性。     

迁地保育林麝的侵犯性、等级序位及相互关系

侵犯性是动物个性的重要维度之一,体现了其主动挑衅和攻击其他个体的倾向。动物的侵犯性与其社会结构及等级序位存在紧密关系。本研究于2018年6月1日至7月31日对四川马尔康林麝繁育场的圈养林麝(Moschus berezovskii)进行了行为取样,计算林麝个体的侵犯性个性(侵犯性指数)和等级序位指数,分析圈养林麝的侵犯性和等级序位格局、影响因素及相互关系。结果表明,圈养林麝的侵犯性在性别间存在显著差异,雄性林麝的侵犯性(0.45±0.09,n=22)显著高于雌性(0.22±0.06,n=30)(P <0.05),年龄和驯养密度对其侵犯性的效应均不显著(P> 0.05),说明林麝侵犯性的刚性较强;圈养林麝等级序位的性别间差异不显著(P> 0.05),亚成体麝与成体麝的等级序位差异也未达显著水平(P> 0.05),原因在于麝场的建群未区分年龄组;圈养林麝个体的侵犯性与其等级序位显著正相关,林麝个体的侵犯性越大,其等级序位越高(r=0.73,P <0.05),推测这与社群的序位等级构建和资源竞争有关。     

Seasonal behavioral patterns of captive alpine musk deer (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Moschus sifanicus</Emphasis>): Rut and pre-rut comparisons

Alpine musk deer (Moschus sifanicus), well-known for their musk production, are endemic to western China. Due to historical unrestricted illegal hunting and habitat loss, captive farming has been employed as a means of conserving this endangered species and developing sustainable musk harvesting techniques. For captive animals, an understanding of behavioral characteristics is vital to improve management practices. This study addressed a lack of information regarding the behavioral characteristics of alpine musk deer; specifically daily activity patterns in respect to gender and reproductive season. From August 2002 to January 2003, focal sampling was employed to observe 32 adult captive alpine musk deer (13 females and 19 males), at Xinglongshan Musk Deer Farm (XMDF), located at Xinglongshan National Nature Reserve, Gansu Province, China. Results indicated that the general behavioral patterns were similar between female and male captive alpine musk deer throughout both reproductive and non-reproductive seasons (rut and pre-rut season). Both male and female alpine musk deer demonstrated tail-pasting behavior during rut season, a previously male-only behavior trait. Female musk deer also rested comparatively more than males during pre-rut season.     

我国巢鼠属分类和分子系统学分析

本研究对2018至2021年采集的9号巢鼠(Micromys minutus)标本、22号红耳巢鼠(M. erythrotis)标本和19号待厘定的巢鼠属标本,进行形态分类和分子系统学分析,进一步揭示我国巢鼠属的分类和系统分化问题。待厘定的巢鼠属标本形态特征为：标本体背毛黑棕,体腹毛基灰色,毛尖灰白,体侧毛色具明显区分,尾背部毛色黑棕,尾腹部毛色灰棕色;尾长长于头体长的120%;头骨背面观可见颧弓明显弯曲;颅全长[(18.59 ± 0.48)mm]和颅基长[(17.43 ± 0.48 mm)]较长,腭长[(9.35 ± 0.11)mm]较长,脑颅高[(7.43 ± 0.06)mm]较高。待厘定的巢鼠属标本形态特征与巢鼠和红耳巢鼠均存在差异。待厘定巢鼠属标本与巢鼠和红耳巢鼠之间的遗传距离分别为0.115和0.136,接近于巢鼠与红耳巢鼠之间的遗传距离(0.126)。利用Cyt b基因全序列和核基因IRBP1、RAG1和RAG2序列分别构建的巢鼠属系统发生树均以较高的置信度分化成3个进化支,即巢鼠、红耳巢鼠和待厘定的巢鼠属样本的进化支。形态学和分子系统学分析结果均支持待厘定的巢鼠属标本为独立物种分类单元,对应于文献记载的巢鼠川西亚种(M. m. pygmaeus)。根据产地、遗传距离和形态分化,建议将巢鼠川西亚种提升为种,命名为川西巢鼠(M. pygmaeus comb. nov.)。利用Cyt b基因全序列构建的巢鼠系统发生树分化成6个进化谱系：日韩谱系、欧洲谱系、俄罗斯新西伯利亚谱系、中国东北和俄罗斯远东谱系、中国安徽谱系和中国台湾谱系。     

An observational study on disturbed peripheral circadian rhythms in hemodialysis patients

The quality of life of hemodialysis (HD) patients is hampered by reduced nocturnal sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness. In addition to the sleep/wake cycle, levels of circadian biomarkers (e.g. melatonin) are disturbed in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This suggests impaired circadian clock performance in HD patients, but the underlying mechanism is unknown. In this observational study, diurnal rhythms of sleep, serum melatonin and cortisol concentrations and clock gene mRNA expression are compared between HD patients (n?=?9) and healthy control subjects (n?=?9). In addition, the presence of circulating factors that might affect circadian rhythmicity is tested in vitro with cell culture experiments. Reduced sleep quality (median sleep onset latency [interquartile range] of 23.9 [17.3]?min for patients versus 5.0 [10] minutes for controls, p?<?0.01; mean (± SD) sleep efficiency 70.2?±?8.1% versus 82.9?±?10.9%, p?=?0.02 and mean awake minutes after sleep onset 104.8?±?27.9 versus 54.6?±?41.6 minutes, p?= 0.01) and increased daytime sleepiness (mean Epworth Sleepiness Score of 10.0?±?4.8 versus 3.9?±?2.0, p?<?0.01) were confirmed in HD patients. Reduced nocturnal melatonin concentrations (1 AM: 98.1 [122.9] pmol/L versus 12.5 [44.2] pmol/L, p?= 0.019; 5 AM: 114.0 [131.6] pmol/L versus 11.8 [86.8] pmol/L, p?= 0.031) and affected circadian control of cortisol rhythm and circadian expression of the clock gene REV-ERBα were found. HD patient serum had a higher capacity to synchronize cells in vitro, suggesting an accumulated level of clock resetting compounds in HD patients. These compounds were not cleared by hemodialysis treatment or related to frequently used medications. In conclusion, the abovementioned results strongly suggest a disturbance in circadian timekeeping in peripheral tissues of HD patients. Accumulation of clock resetting compounds possibly contributes to this. Future studies are needed for a better mechanistic understanding of the interaction between renal failure and perturbation of the circadian clock.     

乙醛脱氢酶基因ALDH2对雄性小鼠生育能力的影响

本研究使用乙醛脱氢酶2(ALDH2)基因全敲除的雄性C57BL/6(B6)小鼠（Musmusculus domesticus）,通过分析不同周龄小鼠的睾丸脏器系数、睾丸组织细胞形态、精子运动参数、配种后母鼠产仔数及子代雄雌比等生育指标,探讨ALDH2基因敲除对雄性小鼠生育能力的影响。结果表明,与野生型（WT）小鼠相比,5、7、10周龄ALDH2基因敲除型（KO）雄性小鼠睾丸脏器系数显著降低（P <0.05）;睾丸组织细胞间质变大,精子活率显著降低（P <0.05）;产仔数和雄雌比显著降低（P <0.05）。本研究为揭示乙醛脱氢酶ALDH2基因在雄性小鼠生殖中的作用提供了一定的基础。     

Determination of vitamins D,A, and E in sera and vitamin D in milk from captive and free-ranging polar bears (Ursus maritimus), and 7-dehydrocholesterol levels in skin from captive polar bears

The difference between serum levels from 36 captive and 56 free-ranging polar bears (Ursus maritimus) for 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D) was found not to be significant (mean ± SD = 348 ± 215 nmol/L [captive], 360 ± 135 nmol/L [free-ranging], t = 0.30, df = 52.8, P = 0.76), whereas the difference for retinol and α-tocopherol was significant (retinol, 1.37 ± 0.67 μmol/L [captive] 1.89 ± 0.63 μmol/L [free-ranging], t = 3.88, df = 72.4, P <0.001, α-tocopherol, 18.56 ± 18.56 μmol/L [captive], 48.76 ± 13.92 μmol/L [free-ranging], t = 7.85, df = 61.9, P < 0.001). Due to the high fat content in the polar bear diet, seal blubber may be the source of these fat-soluble vitamins. Six skin biopsies were analyzed from captive polar bears at the Denver Zoological Gardens for 7-dehydrocholesterol levels and found to contain 0.11 ± 0.03 nmol/cm². This finding also helps to support the contention that the source of vitamin D for polar bears may be ingestion and not cutaneous production. Vitamin D content in the milk from one captive sow in the den (0.14 nmol/g) and 10 free-ranging sows with cubs of the year out on the ice pack (0.0042 ± 0.0073 nmol/g) were also evaluated. It would be helpful to evaluate additional milk samples from denning and non-denning sows with cubs to see whether vitamin D content varies according to the stage of lactation. Zoo Biol 17:285–293, 1998. © 1998 Wiley- Liss, Inc.     

匹拉米洞法、邻联甲苯胺法和联苯胺法检测林麝便隐血的比较

圈养林麝(Moschusberezovskii)长期受困于消化道类疾病,尤其是肠道炎症性疾病患病率和死亡率一直居高不下。粪便检测是评估野生动物消化系统是否存在出血情况的有效方法之一,并且在圈养林麝肠道健康状况评估及肠道炎症性疾病临床诊断等方面提供了一定的诊断依据。粪便隐血在消化道出血诊断中有广泛的临床诊断价值。基于此,本研究用新鲜的林麝血液进行稀释,来探究匹拉米洞法、邻联甲苯胺法和联苯胺法三种方法对林麝血液浓度的灵敏度范围。检测结果显示,匹拉米洞法的最低敏感性检测浓度为0.05 mg/L,敏感性范围远大于邻联甲苯胺法(0.40 mg/L)和联苯胺法(100.00 mg/L)。分别利用三种检测方法对林麝粪便潜血进行检测,比较检测结果的阳性率,结果显示,匹拉米洞法的检测效果优于其他两种方法,阳性率分别为匹拉米洞法检测法10.13%、邻联甲苯胺法检测法2.56%和联苯胺法检测法0,差异有诊断学意义(P <0.05)。而且在操作上,匹拉米洞法更加简便快捷。故在诊断林麝消化道出血时,采用匹拉米洞法进行林麝便隐血的检测更加准确便捷。     

Relationships between musk extraction, social rank and tail-rubbing in male Alpine musk deer, Moschus sifanicus

Musk deer (Moschus spp.) are small, solitary forest ruminants well-known for the musk secreted by adult males. Because of illegal hunting and habitat degradation and loss, the five species of musk deer are classified as endangered. Musk deer farming has been a positive example of ex situ conservation, maintaining deer numbers whilst sustaining musk production. This study was conducted at the Xinglongshan Musk Deer Farm in Gansu Province in northwest China, and was designed to explore the relationships among musk extraction, fighting ability and social rank in captive, male alpine musk deer (Moschus sifanicus). Results showed that musk production was related to a male’s rank in the dominance hierarchy. Males in the middle rank of the dominance hierarchy tended to produce more musk than deer of higher and lower ranks. This is due to the time-energy budgeting patterns and captive stress of males with different status in the dominance hierarchy. That is, high-ranking males need to budget more time and energy to maintain their higher rank, while low-ranking males are exposed to more aggression from higher-ranking individuals, thus limiting their access to resources such as food and shelter. Accordingly, high-ranking and low-ranking males endured more stress than middle-ranking males, negatively affecting their annual musk production. Supporting the correlation between musk production and the frequency of tail-rubbing behavior was not significant, average musk extraction could not be predicted based on the frequency of tail-rubbing alone. Status in the dominance hierarchy, however, was positively correlated with tail-rubbing frequency, with males of higher rank tending to tail-rub more frequently. Conflict winners tended to initiate tail-rubbing after the conflict; tail-rubbing accounted for 83.33% of the post-conflict behavior expressed by the winner. Tail-rubbing was one of the behavioral rewards of winning a conflict and was also related to releasing aggression; not solely for scent marking territory and trails. Based on the results of this study, there was no direct relationship between musk production and captive males’ status in the dominance hierarchy (and, therefore, in the intensity of aggression displayed). If the sole aim of musk deer farms is to domesticate musk deer for maximum production of musk, we suggest that highly aggressive males be removed from the population. Musk production will remain unchanged, however, aggression level and intensity of fighting could be lessened thus reducing farming costs.