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1. 1. The relationship between body fat reserves and blood variables was calculated in 26 wild boar in order to evaluate blood variables as indicators for the nutritional status. 2. 2. In juveniles only a relationship between bone marrow fat and haemoglobin, packed cell volume, albumin, total globulin, gamma globulin, alkaline phosphatase and urea were found. 3. 3. Urea and packed cell volume accounted (together) for more than 90% of the variance of bone marrow fat.

Medetomidine, an alpha-2 agonist, was tested for the sedation of wild boar (Sus scrofa) (n = 6) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) (n = 7). The effectivity of this drug and the dose required for handling, blood sampling, and minor surgery were established for both species. In addition the effect of medetomidine sedation on haematological and serum biochemical variables was studied. All animals used were clinically normal females aged approximately 1.5 years. The minimal dose required to sedate a wild boar was 80 micrograms/kg (i.m.). The induction time was 35-50 min, and the sedation time was between 40 and 55 min; however, the sedation was insufficient. The minimal dose required for red deer was 80 micrograms/kg (i.m.). Blood sampling and minor surgery could be carried out without any problem. The induction time was 21-29 min and the sedation time was between 120 and 210 min. The alpha-2 antagonist atipamezole (300 micrograms/kg) was effective in reversing sedation, with recovery occurring between 3 and 9 min. Medetomidine sedation influenced the blood composition of wild boar. Haemoglobin and packed cell volume decreased by about 20% (P < 0.002), total serum protein content decreased slightly (P = 0.011), and the glucose concentration nearly doubled (P = 0.002).

Lung and stomach nematode burden was estimated in 8 juvenile and 12 adult wild boar (Sus scrofa), shot in The Royal Forestry 'Het Loo' between January 1988 and April 1989, in order to study whether body fat reserves or blood composition (i.e., nutritional status) is correlated with the parasite burden. Only bone marrow fat, the last fat reserve to be mobilized, showed a slight negative correlation with the stomach worm burden. Serum urea concentration, an indicator of severe undernutrition, was weakly correlated with the stomach worm burden in juvenile boars. These results suggest a relatively small impact of these parasites on animals with a lowered nutritional status. The burden of lungworms or stomach worms did not provide reliable information about the body condition of wild boar.

The effect of induced long term uadernutrition on the blood composition of wild boar was studied. During the first weeks, the activity of plasma alkaline phosphatase decreased, while creatinine concentrations increased, and the ratio urea/creatinine decreased, suggesting a renal mechanism as well as recycling of nitrogenous waste products to conserve nitrogen. During the last weeks, haemoglobin and packed cell volume decreased, suggesting protein or mineral deficiencies, and the ratio urea/creatinine increased, indicating substantial endogenous protein catabolism.