The effect of glycine supplementation on the skeletal muscle properties of captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus)

Abstract

The fastest known land mammal – the cheetah, possesses many anatomical adaptations that enables high-speed running. Current literature regarding the physiological aspects that facilitate their incredible sprinting ability, however, remains limited. Although ensuring the survival of the species, captive cheetahs experience several complications including reduced fecundity and an increased incidence of degenerative disorders rarely observed in freeranging cheetahs. A key difference in captive and free-ranging cheetahs is that their diets differ substantially with regards to nutrient composition and availability, and previous studies have highlighted the potential link between the diet of cheetahs and their overall poor performance in captivity.