Physiological correlates of neonatal mortality in an overpopulated herd of white-tailed deer

We examined the relationship of development, immunocompetence, and tick burdens to neonatal mortality in an overpopulated herd of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) during 1990-1992 in northeastern Oklahoma. Risk of mortality to 21 days of age was inversely related to body mass, body mass/length(3), delayed hypersensitivity to phytohemagglutinin, and serum concentrations of gamma globulin and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGTP) for young less than or equal to 3days old. Serum GGTP and gamma-globulin concentrations were the most significant predictors of mortality to 21 days of age using multivariate-logistic regression. Increased probability of mortality was associated with lower serum gamma globulin and concentrations of GGTP, which suggested that inadequate absorption of colostrum leads to a partial failure in the passive process of transferring immunity from mother to offspring, and predisposes young to mortality agents among high-density herds.