PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS ON THE REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE OF MALE FALLOW DEER (DAMA DAMA L.)

in Reproduction
Authors:
D. I. CHAPMAN
Search for other papers by D. I. CHAPMAN in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
and
NORMA G. CHAPMAN
Search for other papers by NORMA G. CHAPMAN in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1530/jrf.0.0210001
Volume/Issue:
Volume 21: Issue 1
Page Range:
1–8
Article Type:
Research Article
Online Publication Date:
Feb 1970
Free access

Sign up for journal news

Summary.

The weights and histological appearance of the testes and epididymides of both immature and adult fallow deer are described. The weights of the testes and epididymides reach a maximum in October and November at the time of the rut and fall to an appreciably lower value in the spring and summer at the time of minimal sexual activity. This seasonal weight change is comparatively greater in the testes than in the epididymides; the testes increase nearly three-fold whereas the epididymides approximately double their weight. Primary spermatocytes were first seen at 6 months of age and all stages of spermatogenesis were seen by 11 months. The epididymides were devoid of spermatozoa until 16 months of age. The degree of spermatogenesis appears to parallel the weights of the testes and epididymides. Male fallow deer reach puberty at about 16 months, although it is not known whether breeding takes place at that age. Adult deer appear to be capable of breeding over a more extended period than is usually recognized. The antlers are cleaned of `velvet' in August and September when testicular activity is increasing and are shed in the spring and summer when activity is at a minimum.

Reproduction is committed to supporting researchers in demonstrating the impact of their articles published in the journal.

The two types of article metrics we measure are (i) more traditional full-text views and pdf downloads, and (ii) Altmetric data, which shows the wider impact of articles in a range of non-traditional sources, such as social media.

More information is on the Reasons to publish page.

Sept 2018 onwards Past Year Past 30 Days
Full Text Views 229 72 4
PDF Downloads 122 36 0

 

  • Collapse
  • Expand
Print ISSN:
1470-1626
Online ISSN:
1741-7899