Fat content of bone marrow has long been related to physiological condition in deer. To assess body condition of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), marrow fat index was employed. Tibiae, radii, metacarpal and metatarsal bones of 6 roe deer were collected in Xiaodong Forestry Region during winter season in 1999, the marrow fat contents were analyzed by use of ether extraction, oven-drying, and reagent-drying method respectively, and the ages were determined by dental cementum. The results of comparison of marrow fat content for each bone after ether extraction, oven-drying, and reagent-drying indicated a high degree of similarity (P>0.05). No significant differences existed between the tibia and radius, metacarpal and metatarsal bone (P>0.05). Low level of bone marrow fat content (54.93±30.88%, measured by ether extraction method for tibia) meant that roe deer remained in a phase of undernutrition. Under low crude protein and energy content of natural vegetation and low digestibility of browse during winter, roe deer relied primarily on diet and its fat stores to partially meet energy requirements. As roe deer’s nutritional status declined, its body fat stores were mobilized and depleted, which can be reflected by the low kidney fat content (12.50±8.34%). Marrow fat index along with kidney fat index can be useful as a indicator in assessing roe deer’s body condition.
