Analysis of seasonal metabolic changes in Nenets reindeer under year-round grazing conditions

K. A. Layshev¹, A. A. Yuzhakov¹ , S. V. Vasilyeva² , A. A. Musidray¹

¹ Saint Petersburg Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, Russia

² Saint Petersburg State University of Veterinary Medicine, Saint Petersburg, Russia

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Volume 26 No. 8

Date of paper submission: 07.06.2025, date of review: 13.11.2025, date of acceptance: 16.01.2026 

Published: 08/31/2026

Abstract. The purpose of the research is to study the state of protein, carbohydrate, lipid, mineral metabolism, the functional state of internal organs (liver, kidneys, pancreas) in reindeer, and to determine the nature of changes in anabolic and catabolic processes and identify characteristic seasonal trends. The study used biochemical and comparative statistical methods. Results. When studying animals in the winter season, lower albumin content is noted in females, which caused a redistribution of the ratio of albumin and globulin fractions. No differences in carbohydrate, lipid metabolism, as well as enzymatic activity in the blood were found. However, females have a lower calcium level compared to bulls, and this difference is statistically significant. A difference in the calcium and phosphorus ratio is also noted: this coefficient is lower in females. The concentration of creatinine in males is higher than in females, and the level of urea, on the contrary, is lower in males. It is obvious that females show signs of increased catabolism in the winter period, involving their own protein reserves to provide the body with energy, as evidenced by an increase in their urea concentration compared to males. A decrease in creatinine concentration in females by the end of winter may indicate a decrease in muscle mass compared to males, since this metabolite is the end product of spontaneous dephosphorylation of creatine phosphate, which provides energy for muscle contraction. Biochemical parameters of domestic reindeer in the summer season are not subject to fluctuations depending on gender. Scientific novelty. New knowledge has been obtained on the state of protein, carbohydrate, lipid, and mineral metabolism in reindeer, and the nature of changes in anabolic and catabolic processes that determine the identification of characteristic seasonal trends has been determined.

Keywords: reindeer, Nenets breed, biochemical studies, metabolic processes

For citation: Layshev K. A., Yuzhakov A. A., Vasilyeva S. V., Musidray A. A. Analysis of seasonal metabolic changes in reindeer of the Nenets breed under year-round grazing conditions. Agrarian Bulletin of the Urals. 2026; 26 (08): 1502‒1514. https://doi.org/10.32417/1997-4868-2026-26-08-1502-1514. (In Russ.)  

 

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