Analysis of Milk Composition of South China Tiger (Panthera tigris amoyensis) and Development of a Tiger Milk Replacer

XU Weihua; LIN Kaixiong; LIN Weiming; CHEN Tengteng; LIU Dan; FU Wenyuan

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1006-267x.2021.03.053

2021 , Vol. 33 >Issue 3: 1724 - 1734

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1006-267x.2021.03.053

Analysis of Milk Composition of South China Tiger (Panthera tigris amoyensis) and Development of a Tiger Milk Replacer

XU Weihua ,
LIN Kaixiong ,
LIN Weiming ,
CHEN Tengteng ,
LIU Dan ,
FU Wenyuan

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1. College of Life Science, Longyan University, Longyan 364000, China;
2. Fujian Meihuashan Institute of South China Tiger Breeding, Shanghang 364201, China;
3. The Amur Tiger Park of Heilongjiang, Harbin 150028, China;
4. Longyan Geopark Conservation and Development Center, Longyan 364000, China

Received date: 2020-07-06

Online published: 2021-03-18

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Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the nutritional components of south China tiger’s breast milk and develop a special milk replacer for tigers. The milk of three Panthera tigris amoyensis from 6 to 10 days after parturition were collected. The contents of amino acids, fatty acids, lactose, major and trace elements were detected and analyzed. According to the amino acid composition of tiger milk, a special milk replacer for tiger was made. The results showed as follows: 1) as fresh milk calculated, the contents of amino acids, fatty acids and lactose were (10.85±0.80)%, (8.94±1.14)% and (2.70±0.14)%, respectively. 2) The proportions of oleic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid, ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid and ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid in the total fatty acid were 41.126%, 21.029%, 20.88%, 23.639% and 1.529%, respectively. 3) The contents of calcium, phosphorus, sodium and potassium were 0.156%, 0.179%, 0.117% and 0.088%, respectively, and the ratio of calcium to phosphorus was close to 1:1. 4) For the tiger milk replacer based on various milk protein resources, methionine, arginine, leucine and histidine were the limiting amino acids. 5) All the 18 Amur tiger cubs and 1 South China tiger cub were reared and weaned successfully. In conclusion, the breast milk of South China tiger has a unique nutritional composition, and the milk replacer specialized to tiger cubs is appropriate for South China tiger cubs and Amur tiger cubs.

Key words： South China tiger (Panthera tigris amoyensis); Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica); breast milk; milk replacer; hand rearing

Cite this article

XU Weihua , LIN Kaixiong , LIN Weiming , CHEN Tengteng , LIU Dan , FU Wenyuan . Analysis of Milk Composition of South China Tiger (Panthera tigris amoyensis) and Development of a Tiger Milk Replacer[J]. Chinese Journal of Animal Nutrition, 2021 , 33(3) : 1724 -1734 . DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-267x.2021.03.053

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