Journal article

Publication year: 2000

Pages: 87-95

Journal: Journal of Endocrinology

Volume number: 164

Issue number: 1

URL: https://joe.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/joe/164/1/87.xml?rskey=aSCKoD&result=1

Publisher: BioScientifica

Abstract: 

We studied the role of androgens in antler growth. In particular, we
investigated whether the onset of antler regrowth is triggered by a
short-term pulse of testosterone and if low levels of androgens are
required for antler growth. The study was conducted on 12 surgically
castrated fallow deer bucks (Dama dama) aged approximately 27 months.
Six animals (CA group) were given the antiandrogen, cyproterone acetate
(CA, 1000 mg/treatment); the others were given vehicle solution only
(control). Before each CA treatment, blood was sampled and analysed for
testosterone, androstenedione, IGF-1, cortisol, FSH, and LH. CA
treatment and blood sampling were performed 2 days before castration, on
the day of castration and afterwards at 2-day intervals until day 22.
Subsequently, CA treatment and blood sampling continued at weekly
intervals until day 270. All animals cast their antlers, followed by
antler regrowth in all control bucks, but in only four of the six
CA-treated castrates. Plasma testosterone concentrations were low in all
animals (between 0.01 and 0.20 ng/ml), but were significantly
(P<0001) greater in the controls. In both groups, a temporary
increase in testosterone values was recorded around the time of antler
regrowth, the peak being significantly (P<0.01) higher in the
controls. Androstenedione showed a similar pattern as testosterone.
Plasma IGF-1 concentrations increased sharply during the antler growth
spurt and did not differ significantly between the two groups throughout
the study period. Cortisol concentrations were greater in controls than
in the CA group. However, no link with the antler cycle was apparent.
FSH and LH concentrations were higher in the controls for most of the
study. Antlers produced by the control bucks were significantly larger
than those in the CA group (P<0.03). For antler length, testosterone,
androstenedione and IGF-1, areas under the curve (AUC) were calculated
over the period of antler growth. For the pooled deer (n=12) significant
correlations existed between AUCs of antler length and testosterone,
but not for antler length and IGF-1. Also, a trend for a positive
correlation between AUCs of antler length and androstenedione was noted.
It is concluded that a plasma androgen concentration at least above a
minimal threshold level is a necessary prerequisite for normal antler
regrowth in fallow deer, and that this androgen effect is not mediated
via circulating IGF-1. The biological role of low levels of androgens
may be to sensitize antler cells to the stimulating effect of IGF.

Harvard Citation style: Bartos, L., Schams, D., Kierdorf, U., Fischer, K., Bubenik, G., Siler, J., et al. (2000) Cyproterone acetate reduced antler growth in surgically castrated fallow deer, Journal of Endocrinology, 164(1), pp. 87-95. https://joe.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/joe/164/1/87.xml?rskey=aSCKoD&result=1

APA Citation style: Bartos, L., Schams, D., Kierdorf, U., Fischer, K., Bubenik, G., Siler, J., Losos, S., Tomanek, M., & Lastovkova, J. (2000). Cyproterone acetate reduced antler growth in surgically castrated fallow deer. Journal of Endocrinology. 164(1), 87-95. https://joe.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/joe/164/1/87.xml?rskey=aSCKoD&result=1