Calcium-Strontium Metabolism in White Tailed Deer as Related to Age and Antler Growth ∗

Abstract

Summary

The ⁴⁵Ca and ⁸⁹Sr deposited in the skeletons of calcium-depleted yearling and 2-year-old male deer prior to initiation of antler growth were mobilized and transported to the antlers, as indicated by activity measured in the antlers at sacrifice 62 days after dosing. Retention of both ⁴⁵Ca and ⁸⁹Sr in skeletal samples, and also transfer to antlers, was highest in the younger deer. Younger deer also exhibited less discrimination against uptake of strontium relative to calcium, as shown by higher OR_sample/dose values for most skeletal samples. Cumulative fecal excretion of both isotopes was also higher in the younger animals, and calcium was excreted at a higher rate than strontium in both yearling and 2-year-old.