Trophic responses to trauma in growing antlers

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Abstract
The effects of trauma on antlers, pedicles and/or frontal bones in roe‐, red‐ and fallow‐deer during the period of antler growth were investigated. The following results were obtained: (1) antler regeneration originates from the osseous part of the pedicle or frontal bone and is not restricted to the hypothetical “Bildungssaum” or so‐called regenerative rim. (2) Unilateral trauma of a growing antler stimulates a trophic response on the control side only when the base of the pedicle, that is, the generative region of antler production, has been heavily injured. In such circumstances supernumerary and dislocated pedicles may be produced. Not infrequently the abnormality caused by unilateral trauma to the germinative bud may reappear in the next antler cycle in the same place but in a more intensified form. In general it may be found that there is a direct correlation between the trophic response to trauma and the stage of antler growth, i.e., the earlier the period of growth the more vigorous the trophic response to the trauma. Moreover, it may be that the antler cycle on the one pedicle may be accelerated or slowed down owing to trauma or other factors so far unknown. There are even cases on record where the antler on one side only may be affected differently by hormonal factors than the opposite side. All these findings have led the authors to the conclusion that each of the frontal bones, as a base for the pedicles and antlers, may have a center of antler stimulation of its own. It is assumed that in these centers (dispositions) a “pattern of antler form” is integrated. This is the only possible explanation for the memory of antler injuries on the one hand and the unilateral disturbances of antler growth on the other. It is suggested that the hormones which influence antler growth exert their effects via neural trophic centers and may thus be directed only to one antler or to a certain zone of it. Conversely, it is possible that the specific hormone may be prevented by the neural trophic centers from acting on the tissues of one antler or a certain zone of it. The site of such trophic centers is supposed to be the hypothalamus.

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