Seasonal variations in red deer (Cervus elaphus) hematology related to antler growth and biometrics measurements

Abstract

The aim of the study was to relate seasonal hematology changes with the rest of physiological variations suffered by red deer, such as antler and biometrics cycle, and to assess the relationship between hematology and the effort performed in antler development. Blood samples were taken from 21 male red deer every 4 weeks during 18 months. Samples were analyzed for the main hematological parameters. Simultaneously, biometrics measurements were taken, such as antler length, body weight, body condition score, testicular diameter (TD), and thoracic and neck girth. All the blood cell types (erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets) showed seasonal variations, increasing as antler cleaning approached, as did hematocrit and hemoglobin. The final size of antlers was negatively related to leukocyte count, nonlymphoid leukocyte count, red cell distribution width, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean platelet volume, and TD, whereas it was positively related to body condition during antler growth. Huge seasonal variations in some hematological values have been found to be related to changes in antler and biometrics measurements. Since these variations are even greater than the caused by deer handling, they should be taken into account when evaluating hematology in deer populations. J. Exp. Zool. 315A:242–249, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Effect of Ca and P supplementation on the haematological parameters and content of selected minerals in the blood of young farmed fallow deer males (Dama dama)

“…0.6 × 10 3 μl −1 , than in group I (0.3 × 10 3 μl −1 ). This may indicate a higher rate of antler growth in the fallow deer, which is in agreement with the findings reported by Gaspar-López et al (2011), who showed that the size of antlers was negatively correlated with the WBC count in cervids' blood. As shown by their results, larger antler sizes were found in animals that had lower values of the WBC count, MCHM, and MPV (Gaspar-López et al 2011; Weiss and Wardrop 2010).…”

“…by 2.6 × 10 6 μl −1 , was observed in group II. Increased blood platelet counts are observed in cervids in spring (Gaspar-López et al 2011); however, the value of this parameter measured in the experimental animals in April was reduced by 78.6 × 10 3 μl −1 in group I and by 69.2 × 10 3 μl −1 in group II. The increase in the haematological parameters as well as haemoglobin and haematocrit may support the positive effect of supplementation with an increased amount of Ca and P in the diet.…”

“…Evidently, the group II animals received a better-balanced and more beneficial diet containing an increased content of Ca and P in the feed ration. At a proper and constant level of nutrition, the concentration of Ca and P in the blood does not change despite the period of antler growth (NRC 2007;Gaspar-López et al 2011).…”

Effect of sex and seasons of the year on hematologic and serum biochemical variables of captive brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira)

“…Differently, Hoppe et al (2010) found lower haemoglobin, PCV and MCV values in males of Mazama gouazoubira. Gaspar-López et al (2011), studying male red deer (Cervus elaphus), reported that RBC, hematocrit and hemoglobulin increase during the mating season, being that in this period, high testosterone levels (Gaspar-López et al 2010) may have a stimulant effect on erytropoiesis.…”

“…Studies about variations in blood values related to seasonality and nutrition (DeLiberto et al 1989, Rawson et al 1992, Barrozo et al 2001, Santana et al 2008, Gaspar--López et al 2011, Das et al 2012, Park et al 2012, sex and age (Jain 1997, Santos 1999, Thorn 2000, Santana et al, 2008, Rafaj et al 2011, Alhuay et al 2011) and type of capture method and stress (Mautz et al 1980, Fernández-Morán et al 2000, Munerato et al 2010) have being performed, but only a few with Mazama gouazoubira (Barrozo et al 2001, Santana et al 2008, Munerato et al 2010.…”