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Osteolysis in reindeer antlers; Sexual and seasonal variations

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Abstract

The antlers of young adult reindeer (males, females, castrated males) were examined in July and December by standard histological procedure, also by microroenteenography and alpharadiography.

The recently reported phenomenon of osteocytic osteolysis was found predominant in trabecular tissue of normal males and females at the time of maximal growth and metabolism (July) but practically non-existent in male castrates.

In December, the male and female antlers were made up of compact bone; in the females particularly, osteocytic resorption was present. The antlers of the male castrates, although still trabecular at that time, did not show evidence of osteolysis.

Résumé

Les bois de jeunes rennes (mâles, femelles et mâles castrés) ont été prélevés en juillet d'une part et en décembre d'autre part et soumis à l'examen histologique ainsi qu'à la microradiographie en rayons X et en alpha (coupes décalcifiées).

Le phénomène d'ostólyse ostéocytaire, récemment reconnu, a été observé dans la partie centrale des bois (os trabéculaire) chez les mâles et les femelles au temps culminant de la croissance (juillet). Par ailleurs, ce phénomène s'est avéré pratiquement nul chez les castrés.

En décembre, les bois des mâles et des femelles étaient de type compact; la résorption ostéolytique était alors surtout l'apanage des femelles; chez les mâles, les bois étaient pratiquement dévitalisés et à la veille de tomber. Les castrés qui, cependant, conservent leurs bois tout l'hiver présentent un retard de la maturation et une absence quasi complète d'ostéolyse.

Zusammenfassung

Die Gewebe junger, voll erwachsener Rentiere (männliche, weibliche und kastrierte männliche) wurden in den Mnaten Juli und Dezember mittels standardisierter histologischer Technik als auch mit Mikroröntgen-und alpharadiographischer Methodik untersucht.

Das vor kurzem beschriebe Phänomen der osteocytischen Osteolyse wurde vorwiegend im Bälkchengewebe normaler männlicher und weiblicher Tiere zur Zeit des größten Wachstums und Stoffwechsels (Juli) gefunden und war in männlichen Kastraten praktisch abwesend.

Im Dezember bestanden männliche und weibliche Geweihe aus kompaktem Knochen; osteocytische Resorption wurde vorwiegend in weiblichen Tieren gefunden. Die Geweihe von männlichen kastrierten Tieren wiesen kiene Zeichen von Osteolyse auf, obwohl sie zu dieser Zeit noch aus Bälkchengewebe bestanden.

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Author notes

  1. J. G. Cousineau

    Present address: Département de Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada

    Leonard F. Bélanger

  2. Canadian Wildlife Service, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Faculty of Pure and Applied Science, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada

    L. P. E. Choquette & J. G. Cousineau

Authors
  1. Leonard F. Bélanger
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  2. L. P. E. Choquette
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  3. J. G. Cousineau
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Bélanger, L.F., Choquette, L.P.E. & Cousineau, J.G. Osteolysis in reindeer antlers; Sexual and seasonal variations. Calc. Tis Res. 1, 37–43 (1967). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02008073

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