Endocrine control of antler growth in red deer stags.

Abstract

Observations of body weight, testis size, antler status, plasma testosterone and prolactin were made on 12 red deer stags during their first 2 years of life. Six of the stags were fed to appetite throughout the study (Group A) and 6 were fed a 70% restricted diet during each winter (Group B). In addition 6 of the stags , 3 from each group, were studied in more detail; LH and testosterone were measured either after a single injection of LH-RH or in samples taken at frequent intervals over a period of 8 or 24 h. During the study the stags became sexually mature, developed first their pedicles and then antlers and showed at least one complete cycle of casting and regrowth of the antlers . The stags in Group A developed their testes and pedicles about 2 months earlier than did those in Group B. Pedicle initiation was associated with increasing plasma testosterone levels in response to changes in LH secretion, and antler development occurred when testosterone levels were low or decreasing. Cleaning of the velvet was associated with high levels of plasma testosterone. Antler casting occurred when plasma testosterone concentrations were low or undetectable and prolactin levels were high or increasing. The relationship between LH and testosterone varied during the study; in spring when the testes and antlers were growing, relatively high levels of LH were associated with only small peaks of testosterone, yet in summer, when antler growth was complete and the antlers were clean of velvet, low LH concentrations were associated with large peaks of testosterone.