The Effects of Gonadectomy and the Administration of Testosterone Propionate on the Growth of Antlers in Male and Female Deer1

Wislocki, George B.; Aub, Joseph C.; Waldo, Charles M.

doi:10.1210/endo-40-3-202

Cited by 117 publications

(48 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Cervid species inhabiting temperate zones are seasonal breeders and therefore their reproductive organs and concentrations of reproductive hormones exhibit annual changes which are synchronized by light. In male cervids, these changes were studied in red deer Cervus elaphus (Jaczewski 1954, Lincoln 1971, Hocherau-de Riviers and Lincoln 1978, fallow deer Dama dama (Chaplin andWhite 1972, Rolf andFischer 1990), roe deer Capreolus capreolus (Stieve 1949, Bubenik 1971, Schams and Barth 1982, Sempere 1990, sika deer Cervus nippon (Suzuki et al 1992), wapiti Cervus elaphus canadensis (Haigh et al 1984), white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus (Wislocki et al 1947, Mirarchi et al 1977 and several other species.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal changes of testicular parameters in southern pudu Pudu puda in relationship to circannual variation of its reproductive hormones

Reyes¹,

Bubenik²,

Schams³

et al. 1997

Acta Theriol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal changes of testicular parameters in southern pudu Pudu puda in relationship to circannual variation of its reproductive hormones

Reyes¹,

Bubenik²,

Schams³

et al. 1997

Acta Theriol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…Administration of testosterone or estrogens to intact males growing antlers or to castrated antlered males induces growth arrest of the antlers and velvet shedding (Blauel, 1935;Wislocki et al, 1947;Goss, 1968), with estradiol being a more potent growth inhibitor than testosterone (Goss, 1968). More recently, Price et al (2000) reported that in red deer stags (Cervus elaphus), injection of the estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182780 during antler growth increased the length of the antler growth period as well as total antler bone mass and area, cortical bone area, and cortical bone density.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Castration of male deer carrying hard antlers as well as the administration of substances interfering with testosterone production or inhibiting both testosterone production and its action at the receptor level causes premature antler casting (Wislocki et al, 1947;Lincoln, 1971;Muir et al, 1982;Jaczewski, 1985;Bubenik GA et al, 1987, 2002Goss et al, 1992;Schams et al, 1992;Kierdorf U et al, 1993Suttie et al, 1995). Administration of testosterone or estradiol to males in hard antler postpones antler casting beyond the normal date (Goss, 1968).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Administration of testosterone or estradiol to males in hard antler postpones antler casting beyond the normal date (Goss, 1968). When male deer carrying velvet antlers are castrated (Blauel, 1935;Wislocki et al, 1947;Goss, 1968) or treated with the antiandrogen cyproterone acetate (Bubenik GA et al, 1975;Kolle et al, 1993), the velvet is not shed. So far, it is a matter of debate whether or not antler growth itself requires (direct or indirect) stimulation by low levels of androgens (Bubenik GA, 1983Schams et al, 1992;Kolle et al, 1993;Suttie et al, 1995;Bartoš et al, 2000;Sadighi et al, 2001).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Histological structure of antlers in castrated male fallow deer (Dama dama)

Kierdorf

Schultz

et al. 2004

Anat. Rec.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Antlers are periodically replaced cranial appendages that, except for the reindeer, are grown only by male deer. The annual antler cycle is controlled by seasonal fluctuations of sex steroid concentrations in the blood, and accordingly castration of male deer causes deviations from normal antler growth. The present study investigated antler histology of castrated fallow bucks (Dama dama). Castration in early spring was followed by casting of the hard antlers carried by the bucks and the growth of a new set of antlers, which remained in velvet permanently. In the following year, numerous bony protuberances developed from the original antler surface. Further growth of these protuberances, which were formed by subperiosteal intramembranous ossification, led to a marked increase in antler diameter in the affected areas. Compared to antlers of intact bucks, the antlers of the castrates showed histological signs of immaturity, suggestive of a reduced bone remodeling and an impairment of the mineralization process. These changes point to the dependence of the above processes on a stimulation by higher levels of sex steroids. Two years after castration, the antlers also developed integumental thickening and showed an initial formation of skin outgrowths. Cystic structures were present in the skin, which were often filled with a presumably sebaceous and/or keratinous material. Formation of intradermal bone or cartilage was not observed in the antlers of the castrated fallow bucks. The histological structure of the skin outgrowths suggested that they were caused by a hypertrophy of the dermal component of the velvet. Due to the localized bone overgrowth, resulting from the periosteal bone apposition onto the original antler surface, skin-lined infoldings originated, which reached deep into the newly formed bone. Our study revealed no indication of invasive/destructive bone growth in the antlers, i.e., of a penetration of the newly formed bone tissue into the pre-existing bone. The hypertrophic bone growth in the antlers of the castrates is compared with other forms of periosteally derived hypertrophic bone formation, including osteomas, in the mammalian skeleton. It is discussed whether the skin and bone outgrowths of the antlers of castrated fallow bucks may be classified as benign tumors. Key words: antler; fallow deer (Dama dama); castration; bone; skin; histology Antlers are periodically cast and regenerated cranial appendages that develop on top of permanent processes (pedicles) of the frontal bones of deer. Except for the reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), in which both sexes carry antlers, these are normally grown only by male deer (Goss, 1983;Lincoln, 1992). Since the antler physiology of reindeer differs markedly from that in other deer species, this special case is not considered further and only the typical situation in male deer will be presented.The annual antler cycle is controlled by seasonal fluctuations in the blood levels of sex steroids

show abstract

“…(1947) described the hormonal control of the antler growth cycle, proposing that gonadal and antler cycles in deer are controlled primarily by the anterior pituitary and testes. Goss (1968) studied inhibition of growth and shedding of antlers by reduced levels of oestradiol and testosterone and supported the theory that annual cycles of antler replacement are coordinated by seasonal fluctuations in sex hormones (Wislocki et al 1947). …”

Section: Frequency and Extent Of Anomalymentioning

confidence: 76%

Investigation of anatomical anomalies in Hanford Site mule deer

Tiller¹,

Cadwell²,

Poston³

1997

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Portions of this document may be illegible in electronic image produck Images are produced from the best available original document. Executive SummaryRocky Mountain mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus), common residents of the Hanford Site, are an important part of the shrub-steppe ecosystem as well as being valued for aesthetics and hunting. Because mule deer have been protected from hunting on the Site for 50 years, the herd has developed unique population characteristics, including a large number of old animals and males with either large or atypically developed antlers, in contrast to other herds in the semi-arid regions of the Northwest.Hanford Site mule deer have been studied since 1991 because of the herd's unique nature and high degree of public interest. A special study of the mule deer herd was initiated in 1993 after observations were made of a relatively large number of male deer with atypical, velvet-covered antlers. This report specifically describes our analyses of adult male deer found on the Site with atypical antlers. The report includes estimates of population densities and composition; home ranges, habitat uses, and dietary habits; natural and human-induced causes of mortality; and the herd's overall health and reproductive status.Examinations of adult male deer exhibiting unusually shaped, velvet-covered antlers were found to have permanently infertile, atrophied (shrunken as opposed to incompletely developed) testicles. The frequency of affected deer observed on Hanford was highly correlated to the frequency of older-aged animals found onsite and was difficult to compare with other more heavily hunted populations. Morphologic, physiologic, and clinical and pathological results showed essentially normal findings, but indicated the causative agent(s) act directly on testicular tissues. Figure S.1 shows a logistical flow diagram for potential causative factors responsible for deer exhibiting unusuaIly shaped, velvet-covered antlers. Radiation, natural aging, infectious agents, and genetic factors were ruled out as primary potential causes. Other factors ruled out as likely causative agents that could warrant further field investigations were thermal stress, nutritional stress, plant estrogens, heavy metals, and herbicides/ pesticides/insectides (Hanford and/or adjacent agricultural areas). Essentially no data were gathered to examine plant or fungal toxins, which could be causative agents.Population-level results indicated that the Hanford Site herd contained a relatively large proportion of male deer, primarily as a result of the lack of hunting pressure and mild winters. Fawn production on Hanford was low. Deer were most abundant along the Columbia River (approximately 330 animals) and on the western portions of the FitznerEberhardt Arid Lands Ecology (ALE) Reserve and were lowest on the 200 Area plateau to the southern border and the eastern portions of ALE. Deer diets and movements indicated a high dependency on riverine habitat, sagebrush, and the sand dunes habitat. The data also sh...

show abstract

The Effects of Gonadectomy and the Administration of Testosterone Propionate on the Growth of Antlers in Male and Female Deer1

Cited by 117 publications

References 0 publications

Seasonal changes of testicular parameters in southern pudu Pudu puda in relationship to circannual variation of its reproductive hormones

Seasonal changes of testicular parameters in southern pudu Pudu puda in relationship to circannual variation of its reproductive hormones

Histological structure of antlers in castrated male fallow deer (Dama dama)

Investigation of anatomical anomalies in Hanford Site mule deer

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About