Document Type

Honors Thesis

Major

Animal & Veterinary Science

Advisor(s)

Pauline Kamath

Committee Members

Robert Causey, Sue Ishaq, Margaret Killinger

Graduation Year

May 2024

Publication Date

Spring 5-2024

Abstract

Despite conservation efforts, moose have experienced increasing mortality rates. Winter ticks are known to cause anemia and lower reproductive potential in moose. Moreover, a genus of bacteria, Anaplasma spp., is known to cause a reduction in reproductive efforts in other animals, such as cattle. Because both winter ticks and Anaplasma spp. may affect female reproductive ability, the overall goal of this research was to determine if Anaplasma bacterial infections could be impacting female moose reproduction within the state of Maine. To address this, samples and biological data from moose were collected during hunter harvest, in collaboration with hunters and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW), and molecular analyses were performed to determine Anaplasma infection status. Using these data, statistical models were used to examine relationships between Anaplasma infections and two reproductive indices: corpus luteum (CL) counts, reflecting the number of ova that have ovulated, and lactation status, reflecting the presence of a calf born in the previous spring. Potential individual factors affecting these reproductive indices were also considered, including age, weight, and location. Out of the female moose (cows) sampled, less than half (13 out of 36; 36%) of the moose tested positive for Anaplasma with the use of a PCR-based assay. Moreover, 19% (7 out of 36) of the cows had undetected CL. However, of those with CL, 61% (22 out of 36) of the moose had one CL whereas 19% (7 out of 36) had two CLs. Anaplasma infection was not significantly associated with reproductive indices (CL counts or lactation status) in moose cows. Given the variable factors affecting cow reproduction, further research is needed to examine the effects of Anaplasma infection on successful pregnancy and calf recruitment into the population.

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