Abstract
The mineral content of the antlers reflects the nutritional status and specific stage of bone growth in cervid males. Therefore, this research aimed to analyze the concentration of Ca, P, Mg, K, Na, Li, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Se and Mo in three characteristic antler positions selected based on the observation of fights between males. These were compared between farmed fallow deer (Dama dama) of different ages. The mineral compositions of tissues were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The highest mean concentrations of macroelements (except K) were recorded in the youngest animals aged 2 or 3 years in the proximal position of the antlers. With age and distance from the skull, Ca, P, Mg and Na contents decreased, while K increased. Higher mean concentrations of most trace elements (Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn) were recorded in 3-year-old animals in antler distal positions. With an increase in the age, body mass and antler mass of fallow deer, the concentration of Ca, P, Mg, K, Mn, Cu and Zn decreased (−0.414 ≤ R ≤ −0.737, p < 0.05) in the studied tissue, whereas Li increased (0.470 ≤ R ≤ 0.681, p < 0.05). The obtained results confirm that the antlers’ chemical composition changes with age, also changing the Ca:P ratio.
Subject
General Veterinary,Animal Science and Zoology
Reference71 articles.
1. A review of factors affecting antler composition and mechanics;Estevez;Front. Biosci.,2012
2. Factors affecting antler investment in Iberian red deer;Ceacero;Anim. Prod. Sci.,2012
3. Antler growth rate in yearling Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus);Gallego;Eur. J. Wildl. Res.,2008
4. Sim, J.S., Sunwoo, H.H., Hudson, R.J., and Jeon, B.T. (2001). Antler Science and Product Technology; Part I., Antler Biology, ASPT Research Center, University of Alberta.
5. Does nutrition affect bone porosity and mineral tissue distribution in deer antlers? The relationship between histology, mechanical properties and mineral composition;Currey;Bone,2012