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Correct managing of dam body condition during the winter period results in increased number of live born kits. So far, male body condition has not been related to male reproduction success. We therefore wanted to study whether the male body condition, visually graded using a 1 to 9 point scale, has influence on re-production results. Body condition of 6500 mink males of the brown colour type from 12 farms were scored in December, January, February and March in the winter period 2011/2012. The data will be used to seek answers for the following questions: (1) Has male body condition, or changes in body condition at specific point in time influence on mating willingness (mating willingness defined as the number of successful mating’s), percentage of barren dams and litter size? (2) Have changes in male body condition in specific periods influence on number of mating’s, percentage of barren dams and litter size? (3) What would be the optimal body condition development for mink males from December to medio March in relation to reproduction results?

Mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting fur quality traits (guard hair length, guard hair thickness and density of wool) was performed in a 3-generation population (F2-design). In the parental generation, Nordic wild mink were crossed reciprocally with American short nap mink. Twenty one wild mink were mated to 25 short nap mink. In the F1-generation, 103 mink were mated. 934 mink were obtained in the F2-generation. The mink were genotyped using 104 microsatellites covering all 14 autosomal chromosomes. The marker spacing was approximately 11 cM. Recordings of fur quality traits were made on all genotyped mink by Kopenhagen Fur. The QTL analyses were performed by least square regression implemented in the software GridQTL. Evidence was found for QTL for the fur quality traits on eight autosomal chromosomes (LOD score >3.0). QTL were detected for guard hair thickness on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 11 and 13, for guard hair length on chromosomes 2, 3 and 6 and for wool density on chromosome 6, 7 and 13. Similar locations of QTL for guard hair length and guard hair thickness on chromosomes 2, 3 and 6 suggest that these traits are in part under the influence of the same genes.

Influenza in mink (Neovison vison) is assumed to be rare, but several outbreaks have been described during recent years in Europe and the North America. In 2009, influenza A of the subtype H3N2 was detected in several Danish mink farms with respiratory symptoms. Full-genome sequencing showed that the virus was a human/swine reassortant, with the H and N gene most related to human H3N2 viruses circulating in 2005. The remaining 6 genes were most closely related to H1N2 influenza viruses circulating in Danish swine. This virus had not previously been described in swine, mink or humans. PCRs assays specifically targeting the new reassortant were developed and used to screen influenza positive samples from humans and swine in Denmark with negative results. Thus, there was no evidence that this virus had spread to humans or was circulating in Danish pigs. In 2010 and 2011, influenza virus was again diagnosed in diseased mink in a few farms. The genetic typing showed that the virus was similar to the pandemic H1N1 virus circulating in humans and swine. The H3N2 virus was not detected in 2010 and 2011. Taken together, these findings indicate that mink is highly susceptible for influenza A virus of human and swine origin and may therefore act as a potential host/reservoir for influenza A viruses.

The effects of mutations affecting the coat color on the dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin contents of the hypothalamus and brainstem of the farm-bred mink have been studied. The sample comprised standard (+/+) and mutant minks, including the monorecessive pastel (b/b), silver-blue (p/p), and white hedlund (h/h) and the combination double recessive sapphire (a/a p/p) and pearl (k/k p/p) ones. The dopamine content of the brainstem of the monorecessive pastel (b/b) and silver-blue (p/p) minks has been found to be higher than in standard (+/+) minks. Conversely, the homozygosity for two coat color loci in double recessive pearl minks (k/k p/p) significantly decreases the noradrenaline and serotonin contents of the hypothalamus. In addition, monorecessive and double recessive minks differ from each other in the serotonin contents of the midbrain and medulla.

Apparent total tract digestibility of major nutrients and energy was determined in a comparative study with mink (n=6), ferrets (n=6) and cats (n=2) which were fed three different diets. Apparent digestibility was determined by two methods, namely quantitative faeces collection and use of yttrium oxide as an inert dietary marker. Results achieved with the two methods agreed very well, and there were no significant differences in nutrient and energy digestibility when results generated with the two methods were compared. The recovery of the marker was close to 100%, and the correlation coefficients for AD measured by the two different methods were in most cases higher than 0.9 and highly significant. It was concluded that yttrium oxide is suitable for use as inert marker in digestibility studies with carnivorous mammals.

The objective was to validate the 13C-bicarbonate tracer technique (13CT) for estimation of the CO2 production (RCO2) and energy expenditure (EE) against ‘the golden standard’ indirect calorimetry (IC), in mink in the fed state. Six male mink were measured in a Latin-square design, simultaneously by means of 13CT and IC. A dose of NaH13CO3 was administrated orally, by subcutaneous or intra muscular injection. A zero breath sample was collected before the isotope administration. After dose administration breath samples were collected at frequent intervals for 6 h, and simultaneously the animals were measured by IC for 22 h. There was excellent agreement between results from 13CT and IC, and when using the measured factor for recovery of 13C in breath and measured RQ values, no significant differences between administration methods in estimates of RCO2 and EE were found. The 13CT was concluded to be a useful method for estimating EE, regardless of administration method, but accuracy is dependent on the estimates used for RF and RQ.

To date, 35 coat color mutations have been registered in minks. Market demands on fur, on novel coat color phases, have always been met by retention and breeding of color variations that arose by chance among captive bred individuals. Domestication has uncovered in domestic mink populations hidden genetic variability in coat color. This in turn gave clues for search and selection of new versions of coat color in mink. In other words, domestication suggests the technology appropriate for deliberately creating hither to rarely, if at all, observed novelties. To illustrate, at the Institute of Cytology and Genetics (Novosibirsk, Russia) a method has been developed for evaluation how the degree of domestic behavior may affect coat color pattern in mink. The Karelian spotted mink (S K/+) was provided as an example.

The objective of the present study was to find out at what time point standard black male mink (Neovison vison) is dying and how quickly changes in the body function can be observed. Experimental groups evaluated were: euthanasia with exhaust gases (petrol engine 4%), carbon dioxide (cylinder 80%), carbon monoxide (cylinder 2%, 4%). Brainstem auditory evoked responses (BAER), electroencephalography (EEG), electrocardiography (ECG) and respiratory rate were measured. Mean time of decline/absent BAER was 112/176, 138/183, 235/390 and 528/833 seconds after gas apply in groups, respectively. Mean time for first changes/absence of EEG was 42/86, 39/75, 55/190 and 176/426 seconds after gas apply in groups, respectively. Mean time for first changes in respiration/absent breathing was 42/217, 28/227, 144/477 and 331/901 seconds after gas application in groups, respectively. Mean time for first changes/absence of ECG was 105/292, 117/220, 215/289 and 481/682 seconds after gas apply in groups, respectively. Gases first affected the brain and brainstem which was seen as loss of EEG and BAER and thereafter respiration and heart rate ceased. A sensitivity to pain is related to consciousness and function of brain. Studied gases can be considered to primary lead to state of non-pain. They are also effective to kill the animal.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are widespread sources of sequence variation in genomes and are currently applied in fields such as forensic and animal breeding genetics. Here we present how it is possible to quickly identify informative SNPs in mink based on a SNP marker panel created for the domestic dog which is phylogenetic far away from the mink. Applying the commercial available Canine SNP Genotyping BeadChip (Illumina®) to genotype 12 American mink from 4 different color strains we identified 111 SNPs in mink. Based on the 111 SNPs genetic population structure analysis showed similar levels of relatedness and genetic differentiation than previously observed using microsatellite markers in mink. We suggest strategies for applying SNP markers in practical farm management, by genotyping individuals with a few very informative genetic markers, considering genetic information that would increase the heterozygosity and have positive effects on the breeding result in mink production. Alternative applications of SNP markers for parentage analysis, individual identification and forensic identification in mink are discussed. Finally, identifying markers associated with important production traits and combined with neutral markers can combined be applied to improve genetic screening on farm levels and for developing new breeding strategies on Danish mink farms.

Digestibility was evaluated in three strict carnivore species, the ferret (Mustela putorius furo), the mink (Neovison vison) and the cat (Felis catus) in a Latin square design experiment using a homemade ferret diet, a commercial wet mink diet and a grocery store canned cat diet. Six animals per species were used, but only two cats concluded the experiment. Ferrets and mink were housed in metabolism cages whereas cats were kept in their home environment. The experiment was performed with 3-days adaptation periods followed by 4-days periods of recording of feed intake and quantitative collection of faeces. Generally, the cats digested the major nutrients better than did ferrets and mink. Ferrets and mink were mostly close in digestibility, but the mink digested fat and energy in the cat diet and protein and energy in the mink diet more poorly than the ferret. The ferret diet had the highest average digestibility whereas the cat diet had the poorest.

The present study aimed to examine if handling and training female mink on a learning task, as preparation for a cognitive bias test, had an effect on measures of their affective state. Adult female farm mink were used based on measures of approach/avoidance behaviour, and categorised as explorative (E, n=10) and fearful (F, n=10). Affective state was assessed on the basis of approach/avoidance behaviour in two contexts (stick-tests, novel object tests) and adrenocortical activity (faecal cortisol metabolites, FCM). The results showed that the F mink changed to being more explorative after handling and training for the cognitive bias test. Furthermore, the handling and training also had an effect on the E mink, but in the opposite direction. This study showed that preparing mink for a cognitive bias test had a marked effect on measures of their affective state, which has to be considered when interpreting the results from experiments using training to assess welfare.

The frequency of color aberrations in the Northern fur seal population of Commander Islands was studied. Albino, acromelanism, nonspecific piebaldness, golden, and ferret type color phases were recorded at the frequencies about 10-4. They are phenotypically similar to the same phases in farm bred sables and minks. The evolutionary sense of color aberrations in phenotypic parallelism of color mutations in the Northern Fur Seal, Mink, and Sable is discussed.

High abundance of fat stored within the liver, referred to as fatty liver disease (FLD) is frequently associated with mortalities in mink during the growth period. Studies have indicated that increased tendency for development of FLD may be one of the consequences of reduced protein contents in mink food. For studies on FLD in mink, quantitative analysis of hepatic fat in live mink using ultrasonography would be an appealing non-invasive study modality. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate a technique for quantifying hepatic fat content in mink by ultrasonography, applying techniques previously validated for use in humans and cats. This study shows that infiltration of the mink liver with fat may be evaluated non-invasively using ultrasonography. This diagnostic imaging technique may prove useful for research in diffuse parenchymal organ disease in mink, though local hair removal prior to application of ultrasonography of organs is a considerable disadvantage in some settings.

Influenza in mink (Neovison vison) is assumed to be rare, but outbreaks have previously been reported in farmed mink. The first report was from Swedish mink farms in 1984 which was caused by influenza A virus H10N4 of avian origin. In 2009 and 2010 outbreaks of respiratory disease were seen in several Danish mink farms. In all of the farms, the clinical symptoms were upper respiratory tract symptoms with sneezing and coughing as the most dominant symptoms. Peracute deaths were seen in mink without any clinical symptoms. Influenza H3N2 was found detected by PCR in the lungs from diseased mink. The mean mortality rate was 1.20% (95% confidence intervals: 0.58–1.82) during the outbreak period. Young mink and especially males were reported to be more likely to die. The outbreak in the farms varied from two to ten weeks. During the outbreak period most farms treated all mink with antimicrobials and four of these farms used feed medication in three weeks. The farmers, however, noted that the medication had little or no effect. The most plausible way of transmission of the influenza is from the raw untreated pig waste containing lungs used in the production of mink feed. Because the first clinical symptoms were observed few weeks after the raw pig waste was added to the wet mink feed.