Sex identification of white-tailed deer using frozen venison.
Fluids from frozen muscle tissue taken from 449 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were analyzed using a radioimmunoassay technique for testosterone. Comparing 309 deer sampled in early November, antlered males had significantly higher tissue testosterone levels (range = 0.18 to 16.00 ng/mL) than females (range = 0.00 to 0.18 ng/mL) while antlerless (fawn) males overlapped both groups (range = 0.00 to 0.68 ng/mL). Samples taken from 132 deer from January through August showed no differences among ages or sexes. Antlered males can be differentiated from females during the breeding season.
D000818:Animals; D003670:Deer; D005260:Female; D005519:Food Preservation; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat / Q000032:analysis; D009132:Muscles / Q000032:analysis*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012732:Sex Determination Analysis; D013739:Testosterone / Q000032:analysis*
D013739:Testosterone