Assessment of the sexual and antler potential of the male white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) by Gn-RH stimulation test.
Twelve mature white-tailed bucks were injected with gonadotropin regulating hormone (Gn-RH, 100 micrograms/deer) during the rut (November) and during the spring (April). In the rut, superior bucks (with actual or potential large body weight, trophy antlers and a high social rank) responded to Gn-RH with a small increase of LH (below 20 micrograms/ml) and a profound rise in testosterone (T) (30-50 ng/ml). The inferior animals exhibited high increase of LH (30-40 ng/ml) but a low rise in T (below 10 ng/ml). FSH levels increased only slightly after Gn-RH and the concentrations were not related to reproductive performance. During the spring, increase in LH levels after Gn-RH administration greatly exceeded the rise of T, but no relationship was found between hormonal levels and the reproductive potential. FSH levels increased remarkably after Gn-RH administration. Gn-RH (administered during the rut) might be used for assessment of the potential for reproductive and antler performance.
D000818:Animals; D000999:Antlers / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D003670:Deer / Q000502:physiology*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006733:Horns / Q000502:physiology*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010507:Periodicity; D012621:Seasons; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects
D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone