Plasmatic protein values in captive adult Iberian red deer stags (Cervus elaphus hispanicus)

Abstract

Abstract:The aim of this study was to assess the time trend of plasmatic proteins in red deer stags. Blood samples were taken monthly from 17 male red deer for 22 months. Total plasmatic determination and protein electrophoresis were performed. Plasmatic proteins showed minimum values during spring and summer and a maximum at the peak of the mating period. Total globulins, β and γ, followed a pattern similar to that observed for total proteins, whereas α1 and α2 globulins showed no seasonal variations. Albumin showed higher values in early spring and summer and lower values at the beginning of autumn, coinciding with the mating season. These seasonal changes in plasmatic proteins should be taken into account when assessing blood protein analysis results.

What do rates of deposition of dental cementum tell us? Functional and evolutionary hypotheses in red deer

“…The result of this process across a male´s reproductive life should be reflected in reduced cementum thickness, in comparison with that of females of the same age, but this hypothesis (H5) was not supported by the results. It is plausible that (i) compensatory mechanisms might be involved eg., extra feeding activity after rut as an attempt to recover body condition [50], which might accelerate tooth wear and so cementum deposition; (ii) as not all males of a population are equally involved in rut through their lives [51][52][53], it could be possible that this effect was negligible in many males and so difficult to detect across the population. Harder teeth should have a lower rate of tooth wear and in agreement with H2 these teeth should have lower rates of cementum deposition (H6).…”