RT journal article
T1 Bone resorption and formation in the pedicles of European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in relation to the antler cycle—A morphological and microanalytical study
A1 Kierdorf, Uwe
A1 Gómez Salvador, Santiago
A1 Stock, Stuart R.
A1 Antipova, Olga
A1 Kierdorf, Horst
A2 Anatomía PatológicaBiología Celular, Histología, Historia de la Ciencia, Medicina Legal y Forense y Toxicología
K1 antler casting
K1 bone structure
K1 deer
K1 mineralization
K1 osteoclasia
K1 remodeling
AB We analyzed pedicle bone from roe bucks that had died around antler casting or shortly before or during the rutting period. Pedicles obtained around antler casting were highly porous and showed signs of intense osteoclastic activity that had caused the formation of an abscission line. Following the detachment of the antler plus a portion of pedicle bone, osteoclastic activity in the pedicles continued for some time, and new bone was deposited onto the separation plane of the pedicle stump, leading to partial pedicle restoration. Pedicles obtained around the rutting period were compact structures. The newly formed, often very large secondary osteons, which had filled the resorption cavities, exhibited a lower mineral density than the persisting older bone. The middle zones of the lamellar infilling frequently showed hypomineralized lamellae and enlarged osteocyte lacunae. This indicates a deficiency in mineral elements during the formation of these zones that occurred along with peak antler mineralization. We suggest that growing antlers and compacting pedicles compete for mineral elements, with the rapidly growing antlers being the more effective sinks. The competition between the two simultaneously mineralizing structures is probably more severe in Capreolus capreolus than in other cervids. This is because roe bucks regrow their antlers during late autumn and winter, a period of limited food and associated mineral supply. The pedicle is a heavily remodeled bone structure with distinct seasonal variation in porosity. Pedicle remodeling differs in several aspects from the normal bone remodeling process in the mammalian skeleton.
PB Wiley
SN 0021-8782
YR 2023
FD 2023-06-06
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10498/29704
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10498/29704
LA eng
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Cádiz
RD 13-nov-2026