Nutrition of antler growth in deer

2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 962 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. McL. Dryden
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Under Nutrition ◽  
Feeding Programs ◽  
Antler Growth ◽  
Velvet Antler ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Antler Size ◽  
Antler Cycle ◽  
Calcium And Phosphorus

Stags are susceptible to the effects of nutrition at several stages during their lives and during the antler cycle. Nutrition during the in utero, post-natal (suckling) and yearling stages influences the size of spike antlers, and, generally, there is a close relationship between bodyweight and antler weight in stags aged up to 5 years. While antler size is not greatly affected by nutrition during the growth of immature (velvet) antler, it is influenced by body size and condition at casting, i.e. at the beginning of new antler growth. Antler growth appears to have a high priority for nutrients, especially energy, protein and calcium. Antler growth in adult stags is little affected by diet protein concentrations over 7%, but supplements of protected protein or methionine may improve antler growth. Substantial amounts of calcium and phosphorus are sequestered in antlers as they become mineralised, and calcium is withdrawn from the skeleton in support of this. Feeding programs to obtain good antler growth involve recognising the periods when juvenile stags are susceptible to under-nutrition, and providing sufficient nutrients to re-establish adequate body condition in adult stags between the end of the rut and antler casting.

Plasma LH and testosterone responses to gonadotrophin-releasing hormone in adult red deer (Cervus elaphus) stags during the annual antler cycle

1988 ◽  
Vol 117 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. F. Fennessy ◽  
J. M. Suttie ◽  
S. F. Crosbie ◽  
I. D. Corson ◽  
H. J. Elgar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Red Deer ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Reproductive Hormones ◽  
Sexual Cycle ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Releasing Hormone ◽  
Antler Growth ◽  
Velvet Antler ◽  
Antler Cycle ◽  
Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone

ABSTRACT Eight adult red deer stags were given an i.v. injection of synthetic gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) on seven occasions at various stages of the antler cycle, namely hard antler in late winter, casting, mid-velvet growth, full velvet growth, antler cleaning and hard antler both during the rut and in mid-winter. The stags were allocated at random on each occasion to one of four doses, i.e. 1, 3, 10 or 95 μg GnRH. Blood samples were taken before GnRH injection and for up to 2 h after injection. Pituitary and testicular responses were recorded in terms of plasma LH and testosterone concentrations. There was an increase in plasma concentration of LH after the GnRH injection in all stags at all stages of the antler cycle. Dose-dependent responses of LH to GnRH in terms of area under the curve were apparent at all stages of the antler cycle. The lowest responses were recorded at casting, during velvet antler growth and at the rut sampling. The pattern of testosterone response reflected the inter-relationship of the antler and sexual cycles with very low testosterone responses occurring at casting and during velvet antler growth. The responses were higher at antler cleaning and then increased to a maximum at the rut before declining to reach their nadir at casting. The results are consistent with a hypothesis that the antler cycle, as a male secondary sexual characteristic, is closely linked to the sexual cycle and its timing is controlled by reproductive hormones. Low plasma concentrations of testosterone, even after LH stimulation, are consistent with the hypothesis that testosterone is unnecessary as an antler growth stimulant during growth. J. Endocr. (1988) 117, 35–41

Factors affecting antler investment in Iberian red deer

2012 ◽  
Vol 52 (9) ◽  
pp. 867 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Gómez ◽  
F. Ceacero ◽  
T. Landete-Castillejos ◽  
E. Gaspar-López ◽  
A. J. García ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Good Method ◽  
The Body ◽  
Allometric Relationship ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Iberian Red Deer ◽  
Mineral Deposition ◽  
Antler Growth

Antler constitutes such a costly trait that the skeleton of the deer undergoes a process similar to osteoporosis to meet the high demands of mineral deposition in the antler. The allometric relationship between antler and body size is one of the oldest known. However, no study has assessed the proportion that antlers constitute with regard to the skeleton (from which most of the material is drawn), nor which factors influence this investment. To assess this, we studied 171 males (aged 1–5 years), determined their antler and bodyweights and scored their body condition. Then we calculated antler investment as antler weight relative to estimated skeletal weight. Results showed that antler investment in males ≥2 years old (i.e. excluding yearlings) depended on age rather than the whole bodyweight or body condition. Antler investment increased from 6% in yearlings to 35% in 5-year-old males, with a mean of 19%. A GLMM showed that in males ≥2 years old, within age, the heavier the male and the better the body condition at the start of antler growth, the greater the investment in antlers. In yearlings, antler investment did not depend on bodyweight or body condition. In conclusion, antler weight relative to skeleton weight is a good method to assess antler investment. This investment is influenced by age and, in males ≥2 years old, also by bodyweight or condition at the start of antler growth.

Relationships between rank-related behaviour, antler cycle timing and antler growth in deer: behavioural aspects

2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 303 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Bartoš ◽  
G. A. Bubenik
Keyword(s):  
Red Deer ◽  
Dominance Rank ◽  
Fallow Deer ◽  
Antler Growth ◽  
Antler Size ◽  
Antler Cycle ◽  
Agonistic Activity ◽  
Higher Rank ◽  
Behavioural Aspects ◽  
The Relationship

In this review we offer a synthesis of a 30-year-long investigation focussed on the relationship between dominance rank-related behaviour and the timing and growth of antlers in deer. Our studies related primarily to red and fallow deer. We present evidence to suggest that dominance-related behaviour in male deer is strong enough to influence both antler cycle timing and antler growth. In a study on captive red deer we observed that the males of higher rank cast their antlers first and also tended to shed the velvet earlier. In a subsequent series of studies on the same species we found evidence that social position and related agonistic activity of males during the period of antler growth influence antler size and branching. Changes in behaviour related to rank modified antler growth. For example, fallow deer bucks gaining higher rank through fighting other bucks exhibited enhanced growth of that part of the antler that was growing at that particular time. That substantially altered the entire antler growth. Understanding the relationship between rank, agonistic behaviour and hormone levels is crucial for the interpretation of previous results that showed a link between dominance rank and antler growth in deer.

The endocrine control of the initiation and growth of antlers in white-tailed deer

1983 ◽  
Vol 103 (1) ◽  
pp. 138-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert D. Brown ◽  
Chun Chin Chao ◽  
Lewis W. Faulkner
Keyword(s):  
Blood Serum ◽  
Odocoileus Virginianus ◽  
Endocrine Control ◽  
Complete Diet ◽  
Antler Growth ◽  
Velvet Antler ◽  
Antler Cycle ◽  
One Year

Abstract. Five fawn and 5 adult white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were maintained in individual pens, fed a complete diet, and bled bi-weekly for one year. Blood serum was analyzed for testosterone (T), androstenedione (A), thyroxine (T4), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and alkaline phsophatase (AP). Adults grew velvet antlers from mid-April and shed their velvet in mid-September. Hardened antlers were cast in March. Fawns grew velvet antler buttons which hardened in February and cast in March, prior to the growth of the first antlers. Adults had higher (P < 0.05) titres of T and A over the year. Fawns had higher T4 levels and AP activity (P < 0.05), while Ca and P levels were not different between the groups (P > 0.05). In the adults, T peaked in December and April and was correlated with the periods of hard antlers and the initiation of antler growth. In the fawns, T peaked in November and April and was correlated with hardened buttons and the initiation of the first antlers. Adult A peaked in June but hit nadirs in May and July and generally was not correlated with the antler cycle. In the fawns, A was similar to the T cycle. Thyroxine was relatively constant over the year in adults, but was elevated in the winter in fawns during the period of hardened buttons. Calcium and P levels were relatively constant throughout the year in both groups. AP activity was elevated over winter in adults and then decreased sharply when antlers were cast. Activity increased gradually again as new antlers grew. AP activity in fawns was elevated over the winter and spring and gradually declined as the first antlers developed.

The effect of body size and body condition on the ovulation rate of ewes

1977 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 377-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Ducker ◽  
J. S. Boyd
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Subjective Measure ◽  
Body Dimensions ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Per Se ◽  
Linear Body

SUMMARYBody size was estimated for 255 Greyface ewes using five linear body dimensions. On the basis of this calculated measure combined with a subjective measure of body size 50 small and 50 large ewes were selected for use in the experiment. Precise ovulation data were obtained by endoscopy and this technique allowed the ewes to be mated subsequently.Body size did not affect the mean ovulation rate of the ewes although, at the same level of body condition, the large ewes were 25% heavier than the small ewes. The ovulation rates and the numbers of lambs born were influenced by changes in live weight and body condition. For these reasons live weight per se was not a good indicator of ovulation rate as ewe live weight was a combination of both body size and body condition. At the same live weight small ewes in improving body condition had a significantly higher ovulation rate than large ewes in reducing body condition.The onset of the breeding season of the ewes was not affected by their body size. The mean date of onset of oestrous activity for both large and small ewes was 17 October 1972 at a latitude 55° 52′ N.

Comparing three body condition indices in amphibians: a case study of yellow-bellied toad Bombina variegata

2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 558-562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodica Plăiaşu ◽  
Tibor Hartel ◽  
Raluca Ioana Băncilă ◽  
Dan Cogălniceanu ◽  
Joost Smets
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Condition Index ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Direct Measurements ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Bombina Variegata ◽  
Condition Indices ◽  
Three Body

AbstractBody condition is important because it is correlated with population and habitat quality parameters. Since the direct measurements are either lethal or unreliable, a wide range of non-lethal body condition indices has been proposed. The aim of our study was to apply and compare three body condition indices (Fulton's index, relative body condition mass index and residual index) using body size indicator – body mass data for 24 populations of the yellow bellied toad (Bombina variegata). The condition index should be independent of body size indicator, in this case snout vent length (SVL). Therefore we tested all three indices for the statistical independence of SVL and for the normality of distribution. Fulton's index violated the independence assumption, whereas the relative body condition mass index did not have a normal distribution. Residual index was found both independent of SVL and normally distributed. Moreover, the residual index highlighted biological significant differences on the basis of altitude and season. Our results recommend the residual index as a useful tool in amphibian monitoring and conservation.

Phenotypic indicators of developmental instability in an endemic amphibian from an altered landscape (Monegros, NE Spain)

2013 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 505-516 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen Burghelea ◽  
Dragos Zaharescu ◽  
Antonio Palanca
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Habitat Degradation ◽  
Great Sensitivity ◽  
Rice Fields ◽  
Land Disturbance ◽  
Agricultural Conversion ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Pelophylax Perezi ◽  
Ne Spain

The great sensitivity of amphibians to land disturbance is one of the main causes that contributed to their worldwide decline. One fundamental approach in assessing amphibian ability to reflect habitat degradation is to measure their phenotypic changes in contrasting environments. We examined the extent to which several morphological traits of the endemic anuran Pelophylax perezi responded to agricultural conversion in Monegros, an arid region in NE Spain. Specifically, we determined how body size, body mass, body condition (BC) and fluctuating asymmetry (FA) of different frog classes varied among habitats with different degree of management, i.e. rice fields vs. control ponds (i.e. small reservoirs). Pelophylax perezi juveniles showed a decrease in size and mass in rice fields, revealing that early life stages are generally more susceptible to habitat alteration. Adult body condition, on the other hand, increased significantly in cultivated habitats, which apparently indicates a good fitness in this size class. Nonetheless, skeletal asymmetry of both, juveniles and adults was significantly higher in rice fields. Moreover, during postmetamorphic development FA increased significantly towards adult stage indicating that the development controlling mechanisms were not able to buffer the stress induced by land use change. Among traits, humerus, radio-ulna and metatarsal were highly sensitive in terms of expressing significant FA differences between habitats, contrary to tibio-fibula, whose precise symmetry is essential for animal locomotion. The former bones have therefore the potential to be used as sensitive indicators of stress in amphibians. FA showed no relationship with body condition. This, together with the previous results demonstrates that FA is able to capture habitat stress more reliably than the morphological estimates such as body size, mass and BC. Therefore, FA is a useful morphological tool, highly recommended to monitor stress levels in amphibian populations.

An investigation of factors influencing erythrocyte morphology of red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus)

2009 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Maerz ◽  
Joseph Milanovich ◽  
Andrew Davis ◽  
Jayna DeVore
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Plethodon Cinereus ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Health State ◽  
Erythrocyte Morphology ◽  
Size And Shape ◽  
Plethodontid Salamanders ◽  
Body Sizes

AbstractAmphibians have long been known to display wide variation in erythrocyte morphology across species, but within species there has been little attention given to individual variation in red blood cell morphology. We captured 49 red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) from central Pennsylvania, USA and used image analysis procedures to measure erythrocyte morphology (size and shape) on blood smears made from all individuals. We then statistically examined whether variation in snout-vent-length, sex, tail loss, or capture location influenced these cell variables. Only snout-vent-length affected erythrocyte size and shape, with increasing body sizes associated with increasing cell areas and increasingly rounder cells. Further, erythrocyte shape was also associated with a measure of body condition that was corrected for body size, such that individuals with high body condition scores had rounder cells. Given the oxygen-carrying role of erythrocytes in all vertebrates, we suspect this discovery is related to size-related changes in oxygen demand, since total oxygen consumption increases with body size in an allometric manner. While our results warrant further investigation to understand the mechanism, the association we found between cell roundness and both body size and condition nevertheless indicates this parameter could be used to assess the health state of plethodontid salamanders in future research, provided non-destructive sampling is employed. Our results also underscore the value of hematological investigations in the study of animal biology.

The effects of components of body weight on reproductive efficiency in the Merino ewe

1972 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Guerra ◽  
C. J. Thwaites ◽  
T. N. Edey
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Linear Regression ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Reproductive Efficiency

SUMMARYGroups of mature Merino ewes selected on the basis of either large or small bodysize were differentially fed during a pre-experimental period to produce subgroups of high and low body condition. These levels of body condition were maintained for 2 weeks before mating and for the first 5 weeks of gestation. Thereafter, the four subgroups grazed together until lambing.Big ewes had more multiple ovulations than small ewes (14/41 υ 6/53; P < 0·01), and there was a significant linear regression of ovulation rate on body size. Body condition was positively related to the incidence of multiple ovulations, but the regression of ovulation rate on body condition at mating failed to reach significance. Body weight was significantly related to both ovulation rate and the incidence of multiple ovulations, and proved to be a more effective predictor of ovulation rate than either body size or condition.These results make it clear that size and condition, the two components of body weight, each have a considerable independent influence on some aspects of reproduction, and that the precision of some experiments and the effectiveness of some production routines could be improved by considering them separately.

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