The objective of this study was to determine the different dietary protein levels on reproductive performance of female blue foxes (Alopex lagopus). A total of 180 healthy and primiparous female blue foxes with average body weight of (6.23±0.67) kg were randomly assigned to 4 groups with 45 replicates per group and 1 fox per replicate. Foxes in 4 groups were fed experimental diets with 4 protein levels, which were 36% (group Ⅰ), 32% (group Ⅱ), 28% (group Ⅲ) and 24% (group Ⅳ), respectively. The experiment lasted from February 13th 2010 to June 5th 2010. The results showed as follows: compared with the groups Ⅲ and Ⅳ, the beginning of oestrus time was advanced for blue foxes in groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ; conception rate of blue foxes had showed the same trend of normal distribution in different groups; the highest breeding rate of blue foxes was observed in group Ⅱ which was significantly higher than that in group Ⅲ (P<0.05); foxes in different groups had no significant difference in litter size (P>0.05), but the birth weight of larva foxes in groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ was significantly higher than that in group Ⅳ (P<0.05); with the decrease of dietary protein levels, litter weight of larva foxes and conception rate of blue foxes were increased at first and then decreased and the birth survive rate of larva foxes showed a decreasing trend, but all did not reach a significant level (P>0.05). In conclusion, the optimal dietary protein level is 33.14% for blue fox during the reproduction period.［Chinese Journal of Animal Nutrition, 2011, 23（7）：1253 -1258］
ZHANG Zhiqiang,ZHANG Tietao,GENG Yeye,GAO Xiuhua,YANG Fuhe,XING Xiumei
. Effects of Dietary Protein Levels on Reproductive Performance of Female Blue Foxes (Alopex lagopus)[J]. Chinese Journal of Animal Nutrition, 2011
, 23(07)
: 1253
-1258
.
DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-267x.2011.07.026
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