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Serum creatinine (SCr) in humans has proven to be a reliable biomarker of body protein breakdown and/or muscle mass change. This study set out to investigate the potential of SCr to indicate a loss in sow muscle mass over lactation, validated against 3 methyl histidine (3MH) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), markers of dietary and/or body protein breakdown. A total of 40 sows were allocated to four treatment groups aimed to induce body weight changes by restrictively feeding sows using a stepwise percentage reduction model. Data were pooled and reallocated into three groups representing the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles based on body weight change over lactation in the range −22.3 to −4.1% (treatment 25), −4.0 to 6.2% (Treatment 50), and 6.3–15.2% (Treatment 75). Indirect measures for the prediction of protein (3MH, BUN) or fat change (caliper, P2) were taken on entry into the farrowing house, day 5 of lactation, and at weaning. Serum was collected on these days, and SCr, 3MH and BUN were analysed. Piglet weaning weight and average daily feed intake did not differ between treatments (p >.05). There were no changes (p >.05) in indirect measures of body composition (sow caliper score, P2) and analytes (SCr, 3MH, BUN) over lactation. By day 20, those sows in treatment 25 had higher (p <.05) 3MH concentrations whilst changes from day 5 to 20 were not different (p >.05) and did not correlate with SCr change (p >.05) but were highly correlated to BUN change (R2 = 0.691, p <.001). The data suggested that concentrations of SCr and BUN may have been the result of dietary and/or body protein breakdown and/or changes in muscle mass. In the current testing conditions, SCr was not a reliable marker of changes in muscle mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a study which examined the behavior of mixed-sex and all-female pairs in the population of mahogany gliders in northern Queensland. The study also aimed to assess the use of environmental-enrichment programs to ensure the survival of the animals. It found that the animals were nocturnal and spent most of their time in their nest box. It also showed that the gliders did not respond to the programs that were designed to encourage them to climb and play. The article also revealed a major role of males in the rearing of young gliders.