Japanese black bears, Ursus thibetanus japonicus, have been classified as a vulnerable species so that data on reproduction are needed to maintain and/or extend their population. They are known to have a peculiar style of reproduction, giving birth to their neonates and raising them during denning, a period of complete fasting. In this study, we investigated the metabolic rate and milk composition of mother bears raising neonates, and the changes in body weight of the neonates under captive conditions. Seven female bears kept in dens were weighed once a month, and the amount of energy they used was calculated. From birth, cubs were also weighed and their growth rate was determined. In addition, the milk composition was analyzed to investigate its characteristics. As a result, it was found that mother bears used 34% more energy than did solitary females. There was no significant difference in the energy used for nursing whether they had single or twin cubs. On the other hand, the body weight gain of single cubs was significantly higher than that of twin cubs, suggesting that the growth of the cubs was highly affected by the suppression of mother's energy consumption during the fasting period. The milk had high fat and low sugar concentrations. This indicates that mother bears used the fat accumulated prior to denning for their main energy source when raising cubs. Considering all results together, Japanese black bears showed remarkable efficiency in the use of energy for reproduction during the fasting period.

Atotal of twenty four LargeWhite Yorkshireweaners nearly of same body weight were selected for the present study.The prediction equations were constructed to estimate the body weight of pigs indirectly from different body measurements of 24 pigs. The body weight was highly correlated (PO.OI)with body length, heart girth and height at withers. Accuracy for the measurement of body weight with prediction equation using one or two independent variables shifting from heart girth to height at withers with increase in body weight. Coefficient of multiple determination (R2)increases gradually as the number of independent variables increased in the prediction equation and the best prediction equation was observed when all the 3 body measurements were included in the equation. orrelationcoefficientof body weightwith body measurementswere also foundto be highly correlated.

The main objectives of this study were to verify the relationship among body condition at parturition, decrease of backfat thickness and weight during the lactation and the interval from weaning to oestrus of sows. It was performed with 10 gilts and 10 fifth, sixth and seventh parity Camborough sows. The average breeding age and weight of the gilts were respectively 231 days and 149.5 kg. During lactation all females were fed a wet diet (3.34 Mcal/kg, 17% CP), ad libitum. The average daily food consumption was 5.233 for gilts and 5.721 kg for multiparous sows. Ultrasonic measurements of backfat at the P2 site were recorded on day 6 before and days 2, 7, 14, 21 and 25 after parturition. Body weight was recorded on the same dates, except the day before parturition. Sows were divided into 2 groups according to their backfat thickness 6 days before parturition. Sows with a backfat thickness of 16 mm or less were assigned to the L-group, while those with a backfat thickness more than 16 mm were assigned to the H-group. After weaning, the interval from weaning to oestrus was recorded. The percentage of total weight loss during lactation was slightly higher (not significant) in the H-group (-4.26%) than in the L-group (-2.64%). The percentage of backfat thickness decreased in both groups from 6 days before parturition until day 25 of lactation, but the decrease was highest in the H-group (p < 0.03). The weaning-oestrus interval did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. In conclusion: there was no correlation between percentage of weight loss (total) and weaning to oestrus interval, or percentage of backfat thickness loss (total or by periods) and weaning-oestrus interval, or percentage of weight loss (total or by periods) and percentage of backfat thickness loss (total or by periods). On the other hand, there was a significant positive correlation between weaning-oestrus interval and percentage of weight loss during the third week of lactation. | Este trabalho teve como objetivo verificar a relação entre a condição corporal na época do parto, a diminuição da espessura de toucinho e de peso corporal durante a lactação e o intervalo desmama-cio em fêmeas suínas. Vinte porcas Camborough, sendo 10 marrãs e 10 porcas adultas com a ordem de parto variando entre o 5º, 6º e 7º partos, foram divididas em dois grupos experimentais seis dias antes do parto previsto. A média de idade e de peso das marrãs por ocasião da cobertura foi de 231 dias e 149,5 kg, respectivamente. Durante a lactação, os animais foram alimentados com ração lactação molhada, à vontade (3,34 Mcal/kg e 17% PB). O consumo médio de ração foi de 5,233 kg para as marrãs e de 5,721 kg para as porcas. O grupo-H constituído de 11 fêmeas com espessura de toucinho sobre o ponto P2 superior a 16 mm, e o grupo-L de 9 fêmeas com espessura de toucinho igual ou inferior a 16 mm. As mensurações de espessura do toucinho sobre o ponto P2 foram feitas 6 dias antes do parto e 2, 7, 14, 21 e 25 dias após o parto. O peso corporal foi mensurado nas mesmas datas, com exceção da data antes do parto. Foi observado o intervalo desmama-cio de cada animal. A porcentagem de perda de peso durante a lactação foi ligeiramente maior (não-significativa) no grupo-H (-4,26%) do que no grupo-L (-2,64%). A porcentagem total de espessura de toucinho diminuiu nos dois grupos, entretanto foi maior no grupo-H (p < 0,03). O intervalo desmama-cio não diferiu entre os dois grupos. Não se observou correlação entre a porcentagem total de diminuição de peso e o intervalo desmama-cio, ou entre a porcentagem de diminuição de espessura de toucinho (total e por períodos) e o intervalo desmama-cio, ou entre a porcentagem de diminuição de peso (total e por períodos) e a porcentagem de diminuição de espessura de toucinho (total e por períodos) Entretanto, existiu correlação positiva entre o intervalo desmama-cio e a porcentagem de diminuição de peso na terceira semana de lactação.