人工取香操作对圈养马麝的行为生理效应

驯养是濒危麝类动物(Moschus spp.)迁地保育和可持续供给药用麝香的有效方式，具相关资格的麝养殖单位对圈养麝进行人工取香是每年进行的麝类驯养和麝香生产管理活动之一。本研究对甘肃省兴隆山马麝(M. chrysogaster)繁育中心的46头参与取香的雄性马麝进行了行为取样、同期粪样采集及粪样皮质醇代谢物水平的检测，确定人工取香操作对不同年龄的圈养马麝粪样皮质醇代谢物水平及行为活动水平的效应。结果显示，成体马麝取香操作后的粪样皮质醇代谢物水平为(85.28 ± 5.00)ng/g，显著高于操作前的(56.08 ± 8.64)ng/g(P < 0.05)，而且其水平在操作后的3 d内持续升高，第4天才恢复至取香前水平；老年马麝在取香前后其粪样皮质醇代谢物水平无显著差异(P > 0.05)。老年马麝与成体马麝的活动水平均在取香操作后下降，并于取香操作后第2天达到最低值(老年马麝59.04% ± 4.54%，成体马麝73.03% ± 7.71%)，随后逐步恢复，但仅老年马麝活动水平显著低于操作前(74.09% ± 3.97%)(P < 0.05)。本研究表明，急性人工操作可导致圈养马麝产生行为生理应激反应，应激强度存在年龄差异，相比老年马麝，成体马麝对人工操作的生理应激响应更加强烈。在驯养实践中，可监测取香前后马麝的活动水平来即时评估马麝的应激强度，并通过取香后单独圈养马麝、降低取香操作强度及利用慢性应激提升马麝驯化度。

Behavioral-Physiological Effects from Musk-Extraction Operation on Captive Alpine Musk Deer Moschus chrysogaster

Objectives] Musk-extraction from captive Alpine Musk Deer Moschus chrysogaster by Musk Deer breeding unit with relevant qualificationshas become an effective measure to provide musk sustainably. However, the related musk-extraction operation (MEO) may cause behavioral-physiological stress on Musk Deer because it involves manipulations such as capturing, holding of Musk Deer and musk-extracting handling. Methods] This study was conducted in the breeding Center of Musk Deer in Xinglongshan, Gansu Province, between November and December, 2020. We determined the levels of fecal cortisol metabolites and activity of 46 male Musk Deer with MEO. Generalized linear model and analysis of variance were used to explore the potential behavioral-physiological effects from MEO on Musk Deer of different ages. Results] We found that the level of fecal cortisol metabolites in adult Musk Deer after MEO (85.28 ± 5.00 ng/g) was significantly higher than before (56.08 ± 8.64 ng/g) (P < 0.05, Fig. 1), and it increased after MEO, peaking on the third day after MEO and recovering to normal level on the fourth day after MEO (Table 1). However, cortisol level in elderly Musk Deer was not affected by MEO (P < 0.05, Fig. 1). Activity level in elderly and adult Musk Deer decreased after MEO and reached the lowest values on the second day after MEO (elderly:59.04% ± 4.54%, adult:73.03% ± 7.71%) and then gradually recovered. However, only the elderly Musk Deer show significantly lower level of activity than that before MEO (74.09% ± 3.97%, P < 0.05, Table 2). Conclusion] It was found that the MEO can cause behavioral-physiological stress on captive male Musk Deer, in which there existed the significant differences between age-classes.