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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Artículo científico |
| Language: | en |
| Published: |
Oecologia
2025
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41198995/ |
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Table of Contents:
- Tracing nutrient allocation in capital breeding baleen whales using amino acid stable isotope analysis: a novel method to infer protein balance and reproductive status. Busquets-Vass, Geraldine Carroll, Emma L Lübcker, Nico Constantine, Rochelle Childerhouse, Simon Baker, C Scott Dunshea, Glenn Hindell, Mark Cranswick, Annabelle Lundquist, David Newsome, Seth D Animals Amino Acids Reproduction Carbon Isotopes Female Nitrogen Isotopes Male Whales Lactation Assessing reproductive status and the nutrient allocation strategies animals use to reproduce is integral for evaluating their vulnerability to environmental change; however, the elusive nature of many animals hinders our ability to assess the impact of these vital life history events on homeostasis. We developed a proxy for assessing protein balance in capital-breeding southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) based on carbon (δC) and nitrogen (δN) stable isotope analysis of amino acids (AA) in skin biopsy samples (n = 82) collected from free-ranging whales. Most AA in lactating females (cows) had higher δC but lower δN values in comparison to adult non-lactating females and adult males, suggesting they route fat stores for milk production and use protein reserves to maintain tissues. Lower AA δN values are likely associated with protein sparing and/or modifications to the urea cycle to retain or recycle nitrogen during reproduction. Nursing calves had distinctive AA δC and δN patterns compared to cows and adults, likely driven by the acquisition of protein from milk and the use of maternal resources in utero to support the high metabolic demands associated with rapid growth. Adult males and non-lactating adult females had nearly identical AA δC and δN patterns, suggesting they use similar nutrient allocation strategies while fasting. Patterns in δC and δN values among AA yielded correct classification of demographic groups with 98% accuracy and identification of lactating cows with 100% accuracy, showing that this new method holds promise for identifying the reproductive status of capital breeding mammals.