Antler growth rate in yearling Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus)

Gaspar-López, Enrique; Landete‐Castillejos, Tomás; Gallego, Laureano; García, Andrés J.

doi:10.1007/s10344-008-0185-8

Cited by 13 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Antlers are a specific type of bone growing from the frontal bone on the head of male deer, devoid of horny substance. They grow fast and are shed every year; therefore, they must gain weight in a very short time [ 37 , 38 ]. Thus, while the chemical composition of antlers may reflect an animal’s diet in the recent past, internal bones contain information on its entire feeding cycle.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of the accumulation of macro- and microelements in the bone marrow and bone of wild and farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus)

et al. 2021

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Background The cells of the entire body, including the skeletal system, especially of young animals, may derive from the bone marrow in which they multiply. Therefore, it is important to assess whether the diet and quality of life of deer have a significant impact on the elemental composition of bone and bone marrow, which can directly affect their health and growth. The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of macro- (Ca, calcium, P, phosphorus, Mg, magnesium, K, potassium, Na, sodium) and microelements (Li, lithium, Cr, chromium, Mn, manganese, Co, cobalt, Cu, copper, Zn, zinc, Se, selenium, Mo, molybdenum, and Sn, tin) accumulated in the bone marrow and bones of deer (Cervus elaphus). The study was carried out on 15 young stags divided into two groups: farmed and wild animals. The concentrations of macro- and microelements were analysed using the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry technique. This research expands our knowledge on this topic, which so far has not been extensively studied. Results The mean content of K, Na, Zn and Se in the bone marrow of farmed animals was significantly higher than in wild deer, whereas the mean content of Ca, P, Mg, K, Na and Li in the bones was higher in wild animals than in farmed individuals (p < 0.05). In addition, the mean concentration of Cr, Mn, Cu, Se and Mo in the bones of the analysed animals differed significantly (p < 0.05) and was higher in the farmed deer. The mean concentration of Se in the bone marrow of wild deer decreased with the increase of the body weight (p < 0.05). In turn, the mean content of Mn in the bone marrow and of Mo in the bones of the animals was significantly positively correlated with the animals’ body weight (p < 0.05). Conclusions The obtained results indicated different levels of micro- and macro-components in the body of farmed and wild deer, though without clear and strong variations. Generally, the higher level of macronutrients in the bones of wild deer may be related to the higher physiological importance of these minerals for life activities in the natural environment and to the limited supply of balanced food. On the other hand, the higher levels of microelements in the tissues of farmed animals may result from their significantly better nutritional status in the first year of life, achieved through appropriate nutrition as well as diet supplementation of adult females.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of the accumulation of macro- and microelements in the bone marrow and bone of wild and farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus)

et al. 2021

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“…Antlers are bones, but differ from ordinary internal bones in that they grow rapidly [17] and are then cut off from the blood supply, and so effectively die, though their function is still to be tested. They show very little remodelling [18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Feed Supplementation on Mineral Composition, Mechanical Properties and Structure in Femurs of Iberian Red Deer Hinds (Cervus elaphus hispanicus)

et al. 2013

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Few studies in wild animals have assessed changes in mineral profile in long bones and their implications for mechanical properties. We examined the effect of two diets differing in mineral content on the composition and mechanical properties of femora from two groups each with 13 free-ranging red deer hinds. Contents of Ca, P, Mg, K, Na, S, Cu, Fe, Mn, Se, Zn, B and Sr, Young’s modulus of elasticity (E), bending strength and work of fracture were assessed in the proximal part of the diaphysis (PD) and the mid-diaphysis (MD). Whole body measures were also recorded on the hinds. Compared to animals on control diets, those on supplemented diets increased live weight by 6.5 kg and their kidney fat index (KFI), but not carcass weight, body or organ size, femur size or cortical thickness. Supplemental feeding increased Mn content of bone by 23%, Cu by 9% and Zn by 6%. These differences showed a mean fourfold greater content of these minerals in supplemental diet, whereas femora did not reflect a 5.4 times greater content of major minerals (Na and P) in the diet. Lower content of B and Sr in supplemented diet also reduced femur B by 14% and Sr by 5%. There was a subtle effect of diet only on E and none on other mechanical properties. Thus, greater availability of microminerals but not major minerals in the diet is reflected in bone composition even before marked body effects, bone macro-structure or its mechanical properties are affected.

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“…It was performed on adult Iberian red deer stags, a subspecies has only been studied in younger animals (Gómez et al. 2006b; Gaspar‐López et al. 2008a,b).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biometrics, Testosterone, Cortisol and Antler Growth Cycle in Iberian Red Deer Stags (Cervus elaphus hispanicus)

Gaspar-López

Landete‐Castillejos

Estévez

et al. 2010

Reproduction in Domestic Animals

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Contents In this article, we aimed to describe the changes related to mating season in red deer, especially those related to antler growth, body condition score, testosterone and cortisol. Antler growth was studied in 17 Iberian red deer males, including body weight, antler length, biometric measures and testosterone and cortisol determination during 15 months. Body weight, body condition score, thoracic perimeter (TP), neck perimeter (NL) and testicular diameter (TD) showed the highest values immediately before mating season (autumn), decreased during it and remained constant at winter. Antler growth lasted 158 days and produced antlers with a final length of 80.8 ± 2.0 cm. Testosterone and cortisol showed seasonal changes with maximum values at September and May, respectively. Final antler size was related positively to cranial longitude, TP, NL, TD and body weight at casting time. No relationship between weight loss during precedent mating season and current antler size was found, but spring recovery weight was positively related to final antler size. Final length was related to the descent in testosterone values during previous mating season and to body weight before it. Spring recovery weight was related to relative weight loss during previous mating season. These results suggest that there is no relationship between the reproductive effort performed during one season and the next year size of the antler. In contrast, antler size was positively related to spring recovery weight, in the sense that those deer that recover a higher percentage of body weight at the early stages of antler growth develop higher antlers.

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Antler growth rate in yearling Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus)

Cited by 13 publications

References 11 publications

Comparison of the accumulation of macro- and microelements in the bone marrow and bone of wild and farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Comparison of the accumulation of macro- and microelements in the bone marrow and bone of wild and farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Effects of Feed Supplementation on Mineral Composition, Mechanical Properties and Structure in Femurs of Iberian Red Deer Hinds (Cervus elaphus hispanicus)

Biometrics, Testosterone, Cortisol and Antler Growth Cycle in Iberian Red Deer Stags (Cervus elaphus hispanicus)

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