Effect of advancing births on testosterone until 2.5 years of age and puberty in Iberian red deer ( Cervus elaphus hispanicus)

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the age of attainment of puberty, as well as the pattern of reproductive seasonality in males of Iberian red deer and the relationship of these factors with antler development. A second aim was to examine the effect of the advance of births on the variables mentioned. Fourteen males of Iberian deer were used, five of them born 2.5 months before the others (early group). Male deer were blood sampled from birth until 2.5 years of age to assess the time course of plasma testosterone. The study also included measurements of testicular and neck circumference. As in most cervids, concentration of plasma testosterone was associated to the phases of antler development. Early development affected testosterone titres, since the most precocious males in antler growth also showed higher levels of testosterone during the first and second year of age. In the same way, results suggested that the advance of calving may result in puberty attainment in the first autumn of its life. However, this would require an advance of calving greater than the one we induced since puberty in the Iberian deer is usually attained during second autumn of life at 15–16 months of age. Finally, calving advance also affected antler development. Thus, two of the five males whose birth was advanced, showed two antler cycles in their first year of life.