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Online Journal of Veterinary Research©

 

Volume 13 (1):121-125, 2009

Wig-antler in a Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)

 

Morandi F1a,, Nicoloso S2, Accorsi PA1b, Sarli G1a, Forleo M3, Bernini D3 , Benazzi C1a

 

1aDepartment of  Veterinary Public Health and Animal Pathology, 1bDepartment of Veterinary Morphophisiology and Animal Production, University of Bologna,  2D.R.E.Am Italia, Pistoia 3Private Practitioner, Via G. Oberdan, Pistoia, Italy.

 

ABSTRACT

 

Morandi F, Nicoloso S, Accorsi PA, Sarli G, Forleo M, Bernini D, Benazzi C., Wig-antler in a Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), Online J Vet Res, 13 (1):121-125, 2009. In cervids, antlers periodically cast and re-grow from protuberances located on the frontal bone. It is a cyclic process, specific for every cervid species and related to seasonal fluctuations in circulating sex steroids. Three years ago, two fawn roe deer were found, set in a private fence and fed goat milk until weaning. One of them had an arrest in antler growth with velvet preservation during the first year and did not cast, but had a continuous growth that gave origin to a voluminous slowly forming cauliflower-like structure covering the head (s.c. wig antler roe). The animal progressively stopped feeding and lost condition until death. No clinical signs indicative of some abnormalities were present except for the abnormal antler growth. The testicles regularly descended. However, plasma testosterone concentrations were lower in the wig antler roe than in the normal animal and radiography presented anomalies of mineralization and structure of the antlers.

 

Key words: wig-antler, roe deer, testosterone, hypogonadism.

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