Antler development in Cervidae (A review)

Abstract

Authors are going to summarize the effects influencing the development, mineralisation, cleaning and casting of the antler in Cervidae. Cervidae have a special capacity to grow an antler, which is usually a branched, bony formation on the head of the male individuals. This is an annually regenerating extra product, which is controlled by many difficult physiological processes. The size and the formation of the antler are by genetically and the micro- and macro environment. The antler as a trophy constitutes important part of the hunting culture and through this it has considerable national economic effect. At the growth of their first antler on the frontal bone (os frontale) develop a so-called pedicle, then on this basis grows the first antler. The antler initially is a cartilage formation covered with soft hairy skin (velvet), which ossifies (mineralisation) and will be cleaned before the breeding season. The bony antler (hard antler) is worn until 6-8 months, then the Cervidae cast it and they start to develop the next new antler.