Variability in Mandible Marrow Fat in 3 Moose Populations in Sweden

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Abstract
The usefulness of mandible marrow fat as an indicator of marrow fat deposition was analyzed to compare 3 moose (Alces alces) populations (Furudal, Hagfores, and Grimso) in southcentral Sweden. Marrow fat levels were related to autumn and winter season, age, and carcass weight in 978 moose collected during 1981-84. Within each population no between year difference for specific sex and age classes was found. Average fat levels in autumn were low among calves (53-62%) but increased rapidly to yearlings (68-73%). Adult females had high fat levels throughout life (76-78%), whereas males had substantially less fat with increasing age (38% at .gtoreq. 10 years). The males at Grimso had consistently less marrow fat (P < 0.05) than those at Furudal and Hagfors. The overall relationship between mandible marrow fat and carcass weight differed between the sexes and resembled the typical fat-age relationship. Marrow fat was positively correlated with carcass weight of calves but not of adults. During October-December male calves and adult females had stable fat levels, whereas females calves tended to mobilize and adult males to build up the fat.