The occurrence and function of nerves in the growing antlers of deer

Abstract

ONE TEXT FIGUR~E AND THREE PLATES (TWELVE FIGURES)The present study represents an inquiry into the nature of the innervation of the antlers of deer. It includes obserrations on the nerve supply of the antlers, on the presence of histologically demonstrable fibers in the growing antlers, and on the effects of unilateral extirpation of the sensory ncrre supply of the antlers in two deer. MATERIAL AND METHODS *The observations reported here TVCL'C made on Virginia deer (Odocoileus vriginianus borealis). The gross dissection of the nerves supplying the growing antlers was carried out o n an adult head which was preserved in 10% formalin.The microscopic examination for nerve fibers was undertaken on tissue obtained from the growing antlers of two deer killed in June and July. The nerves were impregnated by Bodian's silver (protargol) method following fixation in Bodian's fixative no. 2 ( '37).Observations concerning the occurrence of sensation in the antlers were carried out on several live deer. Two adult 'This is one of a series of investigations on the growth of antlers of deer which has been supported by a grant from the Milton Fund of Harmrd TTniversitj-.*The investigation on deer reported here has been carried out a t the Wildlife Research Center, Delmar, New York, under an agreement with the Conservation Department of the State of New York. We are greatly indebted to the administrative and scientific personnel of that organization for their friendly aid and cooperation.

Deer antler regeneration: Cells, concepts, and controversies

“…Thus when Wislocki and Singer (1946) unilaterally denervated the pedicle in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), antlers nevertheless regenerated from these denervated pedicles. The antlers on the operated side were stunted and noticeably deformed compared with the contralateral control antlers, which was attributed to repeated injuries of the denervated antlers during growth.…”

Expression of neurotrophin-3 in the growing velvet antler of the red deer Cervus elaphus

“…Antlers are normally supplied only with sensory nerves (Wislocki & Singer 1946) and lack sympathetic innervation (Wika 1980, Rayner & Ewen 1981, Gray et al 1992. Both myelinated and unmyelinated fibres have been observed in the epidermis and in the vascularised dermal tissue (Vacek 1955).…”

“…Both myelinated and unmyelinated fibres have been observed in the epidermis and in the vascularised dermal tissue (Vacek 1955). The supraoptic and temporal branches of the trigeminal nerve innervate antlers (Wislocki & Singer 1946). Innervation occurs by the regeneration of pedicle nerves (Waldo et al 1949).…”

Do the Blood Vessels of the Antler Velvet of the Red Deer Have an Adrenergic Innervation?

“…So far there has been no evidence that the blood vessels of the antler are innervated. Although Wislocki & Singer (1946) demonstrated many small nerve fibres in the Virginia deer antler by Bodian's protargol method, these were not associated with the blood vessels. In the last fifteen years it has been possible to demonstrate terminal adrenergic nerves by converting their transmitter, noradrenaline, to a fluorescent tetrahydro-isoquinoline (Corrodi, Hillarp & Jonsson, 1964 (Corrodi et al 1964) and then re-examining it to confirm the abolition of fluorescence.…”