Seasonal changes in rumen papillary development and body condition in free ranging Chinese water deer (Hydropotes inermis)

Available information on the history, population dynamics, body weight and kidney fat indices in free-living Chinese water deer at Whipsnade Zoo were briefly reviewed.
Fifty eight culled animals were examined quantitatively for changing rumen papilla morphology through different seasons using surface enlargement factors (SEF). The results show a much reduced SEF of below four in winter and rarely above eight in spring, summer and autumn. This is atypical for the entire group of concentrate selectors and even for intermediate feeding types. The inference from the data is that the seasonal rumen development was poorer than expected perhaps indicating that this population was undernourished.     

A Germination Inhibitor from Sugar-Beet

There is present in the water extract of sugar-beet seed ballsan unsaturated yellow oil which is capable of inhibiting germinationof various seeds. It also inhibits salt uptake and the respirationof sugar-beet tissue disks. The activity of the polyphenolaseenzyme present in beet tissue is also depressed. The role ofthe oil in inhibition of sugar-beet germination is discussed.