Page 149 - Demo

Doe A is pregnant during a harsh winter. Cold temperatures and deep snow place an increased caloric demand on her and food is scarce. She cannot maintain her bodyweight and is slowly starving. The hormone profile circulating in her bloodstream is altered to send signals to her growing fetus that the environment it is going to be born into is harsh and unforgiving. There is little food to support growth and development, signaling to the fetus that it will have the best chance of survival if it maintains a small body size; where less calories are needed to maintain its weight. If the fetus is a buck fawn, it will be advantageous for it to have smaller antlers because they require less energy to grow. If it is a doe fawn, it will be advantageous for it to have a reduced fertility potential because gestation and lactation are energy intensive. As a result, the pregnant doe%u2019s circulating hormones will turn off the fawn%u2019s genes for developing larger body size, bigger antlers and increased fertility. Even if this fawn is born into an ideal environment and has abundant food its whole life, the genes (or %u201cswitches%u201d) for body size, antler growth and fertility have been turned off. As a result, this deer will develop into an adult that is smaller in stature, with reduced antler size and a poor fertility potential. Doe B is pregnant during the same severe winter as Doe A, but feed for Doe B is plentiful. This doe%u2019s caloric needs are always met and she is able to maintain her bodyweight during gestation. The hormone profile circulating in her bloodstream sends signals to her growing fetus that the environment it is going to be born into provides ample food for growth and development. Doe B%u2019s fawn will have to compete with other deer once it is mature, so having a large body size, big antlers and increased fertility potential will ensure its genes are passed onto the next generation. As a result, the pregnant doe%u2019s circulating hormones will turn on the fawn%u2019s genes for larger body size, bigger antlers and increased fertility. If this fawn is born into an environment where food is plentiful, its activated genes will allow it to develop into an adult that is larger in stature, with increased antler size and better fertility rates.DOE BON ON ONDOE AOFF OFF OFFWILDLIFE1.888.376.6777 %u2022 www.crystalcreeknatural.com | 149