Developing antler, a model for endocrine regulation of bone growth. Concentration gradient of T3, T4, and alkaline phosphatase in the antler, jugular, and the saphenous veins

Abstract

Thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and alkaline phosphatase (AP) were assayed monthly in white-tailed deer plasma obtained from the antler (A), jugular (J), and the saphenous (S) veins during the period of antler growth and the period of mineralization. The concentrations of T3, T4, and AP in the J and S were not significantly different in any month. During the most intense antler growth period (June and July) AP levels were significantly higher and T3 significantly lower in A as compared to J and S, but no differences were found during the mineralization phase in August. T3 values from all three veins were significantly lower in the mineralization period than J and S values during the growing phase. Variations of T4 levels between A, J, and S as well as differences between months were only negligible. The data indicate that AP is produced in large quantity in the antler tissue during the growth period, but the amount is sharply reduced during the mineralization phase. T3 is utilized in the growing antler; the rate of utilization correlates with the intensity of antler growth. T4 is probably not utilized in the antler bone. Developing antler might be used as a model to study growth and mineralization processes of bony tissues.

Iodine Distribution in the Environment as a Limiting Factor for Roe Deer Antler Development

“…In white-tailed deer, Bubenik et al [2] showed that T 3 utilization rate in the growing antler correlated with the intensity of antler growth. Based on the results of Brown et al [36], T 4 played a synergistic role in antler initiation and growth.…”

“…In this system, the iodine-containing hormones (triiodothyronine (T 3 ) and thyroxine (T 4 )) produced in the thyroid gland were associated with antler growth cycle [2,3]; however, their functions are not fully understood [4]. These two hormones are essential for a range of metabolic processes, controlling cellular oxidation, protein synthesis, cell differentiation, and growth [5,6].…”

IGF1R and LOX Modules Are Related to Antler Growth Rate Revealed by Integrated Analyses of Genomics and Transcriptomics

“…The average growth rate of red deer is 1.8 cm/d, and that of sika deer is 1.2 cm/d [ 3 ]. Research has found that it is the rapid proliferation of antler tip cells that drive antlers to grow so rapidly [ 1 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. Therefore, antlers can be used as an ideal model for studying extraordinary fast-growing tissue, revealing the molecular mechanism underlying the regulation of the tissue that can grow quickly without transforming into a tumor.…”

Identification and Characterization of Alternative Splicing Variants and Positive Selection Genes Related to Distinct Growth Rates of Antlers Using Comparative Transcriptome Sequencing

“…Their rapid growth in particular, has attracted much attention to antlers [ 1 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. Research has shown that it is the rapid proliferation and differentiation of antler tip cells that drives antlers to grow so rapidly with differentiation towards chondrogenesis, maintaining pace during the further differentiation and growth of the antler [ 1 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. Histologically, the antler growth centre is located in the antler tip and consists of four zones at different differentiation stages disto-proximally: reserve mesenchyme (RM), precartilage, transition and cartilage zones.…”