Influence of chemical immobilization and physical restraint on steroid hormone levels in blood of white-tailed deer

Abstract

The results of this investigation provided evidence for changes in certain blood endocrine measurements immediately prior to, or during, blood collection as a result of the method of restraint. Three chemical restraint agents which differed widely in their physiological effects, mode of action, and method of administration were examined in white-tailed deer. The drugs employed were succinylcholine chloride (SCC), RO-5-3448, and a combination of phencyclidine hydrochloride (PH) and the tranquilizer promazine hydrochloride (P). In addition, the effects of manual restraint without drug administration were examined. All deer were repetitively bled while under the influence of a drug and (or) manual restraint. SCC and manual restraint appeared to elicit the greatest alarm by the deer and resulted in the highest levels of adrenocorticoids and progestins. It appeared likely that the increase in progestins resulted in some way from production by the adrenal glands. RO-5-3448 and PH + P appeared to decrease the alarm response and result in more 'normal' levels of corticoids and progestins. During sampling periods of 90 or 150 min, androgen levels changed erratically in individual male deer, and these values appeared indicative of the frequent, periodic, pulsative release of these hormones which have been observed in both rams and bulls.