scholarly journals Relationship between plasma cortisol level and bodyweight and antler size in farmed fallow deer

2021 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 355-361
Author(s):  
K. Dziki-Michalska ◽  
K. Tajchman ◽  
S. Kowalik ◽  
M. Bogdaszewski
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Cortisol Level ◽  
Plasma Cortisol ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Fallow Deer ◽  
Plasma Cortisol Level ◽  
Antler Growth ◽  
Antler Size ◽  
One Year ◽  
The Relationship

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the relationship between the plasma cortisol level and bodyweight and antler size in farmed male fallow deer (Dama dama) of various ages. The study involved 33 animals divided into three age groups: one year old, three years old, and older. Their bodyweight was measured and blood samples were taken twice a year during antler growth (May) and before the rut (September). Whole antlers were collected in September to measure their length and weight. The plasma cortisol concentration was determined with an immunoenzymatic method. The correlations between cortisol level and bodyweight were significant and positive in both May and September (P ≤0.05). There was a negative correlation between weight gain and change in cortisol levels (P ≤0.05). Thus, fallow deer with large seasonal changes in cortisol gained less weight from May to September. The results of the present study indicated that calmer animals with lower cortisol fluctuations should be selected for breeding, which would contribute to greater stability of weight gain.

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.

Plasma Cortisol Levels in Depression

1966 ◽  
Vol 112 (493) ◽  
pp. 1263-1267 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Doig ◽  
R. V. Mummery ◽  
M. R. Wills ◽  
A. Elkes
Keyword(s):  
Diurnal Variation ◽  
Sleep Disturbance ◽  
Cortisol Level ◽  
Plasma Cortisol ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Plasma Cortisol Level ◽  
Fundamental Characteristic ◽  
Sleep Period ◽  
Cortisol Levels ◽  
Abrupt Rise

Sleep disturbance is commonly found in depression. Plasma cortisol levels in non-hospitalized normal subjects show a rise prior to waking, with peak values at between 5 and 8 a.m. (9, 10). In a group of eight normal subjects, Perkoff (10) changed the sleep rhythm to sleeping during the day, using darkened rooms, and found that the plasma cortisol level followed suit, rising sharply in the two-hour period before waking. He stated: “A fundamental characteristic of the diurnal variation of plasma 17 OHCS concentration is the abrupt rise which occurs during the sleep period.”

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