Blood flow, calcium deposition and heat loss in reindeer antlers

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Abstract
Antler blood flow was studied in a 2 year old male reindeer during the last half of the antler growth period using an electromagnetic flow probe chronically implanted around the superficial temporal artery. Arterio-venous (a-v) differences of calcium were measured on antler blood. The blood flow increased from 60–90 ml/min when the antler was half-grown to 100–120 ml/min when fully developed. Subsequently a reduction was observed towards shedding. Positive a-v plasma calcium differences (on average 0.2 mM) were recorded during the period of active growth. Two bulls maintained positive a-v calcium differences after a 48 hour starvation period, in spite of reduced arterial calcium concentrations. Exercise to near exhaustion caused a 2°C rise in the rectal temperature. Antler blood flow was decreased immediately after exercise and returned to pre-exercise values usually within 5–10 min. Since no overshoot in antler blood flow was recorded during the hyperthermia it is concluded that variations in blood perfusion of the antlers are without importance in the defence against hyperthermia during and after exercise.