Forehead Glands in White-Tailed Deer

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Abstract
Skin biopsies were taken from the forehead of adult female and adult male white-tailed deer during the sexually quiescent season and again during the rut. Samples were also taken from the same and other locations on freshly killed animals of both sexes and ages 6 months to 9+ years. Microscopic examination revealed large numbers of tubular apocrine sudoriferous glands relative to the integument in general. During summer, glands of both sexes exhibited little activity. In the rut, glandular activity was moderate in females and very high in males, which is consistent with the annual testosterone cycle. Activity was highest in dominant males and lowest in fawns. This and other evidence indicate that the forehead is a scent organ used to anoint antler rubs made by males during the rut.