| Autor: |
Škvorc, Nikolina, Bujanić, Miljenko, Mutvar, Andrea, Tarle, Luka, Bastiančić, Lucija, Kužir, Snježana, Konjević, Dean |
| Přispěvatelé: |
Konjević, Dean, Bujanić, Miljenko, Škvorc, Nikolina |
| Jazyk: |
angličtina |
| Rok vydání: |
2022 |
| Předmět: |
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| Popis: |
Context: Red deer antlers are cranial bony appendages which are capable of de toto regeneration every year. Pere David’s deer can even regenerate their antlers twice per year. The short duration of the growth and the mineralisation phase, puts a high demand on the organism to provide sufficient quantities of minerals, namely calcium. These demands cannot be met through their diet, and so instead, deer mobilise calcium from their long bones. There are presumptions that part of this calcium will be withdrawn to the body during the hard antler phase, leaving highly porous antlers prior to casting. Aims: The aim of this study is to analyse the mineral density of hard antlers and to evaluate the potential mineral withdrawal during the hard antler phase. Methods: In this study we analysed red deer antlers from OG Letec. The mineralized antlers were removed (10 days / 45 days / 75 days after velvet shedding) with a fine-toothed saw from animals within the crush system, approximately 5 cm above the coronet. The sampled antler beams were divided into three segments. Densitometry was performed using the HOLOGIC QDR 4500 W device to test bone mineral density (BMD), which is the deviation of its value obtained by an X-ray device from known phantom values used in the calibration of the device. A standardised imaging protocol for the lumbar spine segment was applied in three parts, each representing a cross-section of the sample to one-third of the antler. Key results: The mean value of mineral density of the antler proximal thirds was 0.91 g/cm2, the middle thirds was 0.67 g/cm2, while the distal thirds was 0.61 g/cm2. The same pattern was preserved for both samples. The last one was of poor quality and only from one side. The average values for each segment remained at the same level for sample 1 and 2. The mean value of the antlers mineral density in total was 0.73 g/cm2. By comparing the same samples, a difference in BMD was visible. Conclusion: The proximal thirds of the antlers have the highest mineral density, followed by the middle thirds, while the distal thirds have the lowest mineral density. In the first two samples BMD values were at the same levels, while the third sample was of poor quality. Implications: It is necessary to perform analysis during every month until antler casting. Therefore, this study could improve on the knowledge about potential mineral withdrawal from antlers. |
| Databáze: |
OpenAIRE |
| Externí odkaz: |
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