Circulating levels of 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D, alkaline phosphatase, hydroxyproline, and osteocalcin associated with antler growth in white-tailed deer.

Alkaline phosphatase, hydroxyproline, osteocalcin, and 1,25(OH)2D were measured in biweekly serum samples obtained from 6 adult (greater than 4 years), 4 juvenile (1-4 years) and 4 fawn (less than 1 year) male white-tailed deer from Oct. 1983 to Oct. 1984. Antler length, from the pedicle to the tip, was measured at the time of serum sampling. Serum alkaline phosphatase activity and levels of hydroxyproline and osteocalcin were higher (P less than 0.05) in fawns compared with juveniles and adults reflecting increased bone metabolism in the younger deer. In adult deer serum alkaline phosphatase activity and hydroxyproline levels were elevated (P less than 0.05) during the period of antler growth, whereas serum osteocalcin and 1,25(OH)2D increased (P less than 0.05) during antler mineralization. Similar but less pronounced trends occurred in juvenile deer, possibly a reflection of skeletal growth in the younger animals. The data lend support for utilization of the deer antler cycle as a model for studies of bone disorders. Further work is needed to help clarify the role of hydroxyproline, osteocalcin, and 1,25(OH)2D in the antler cycle.

Effect of caffeine sodium benzoate, ketamine hydrochloride, and yohimbine hydrochloride on xylazine hydrochloride-induced anorexia in white-tailed deer.

Fifteen male white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were administered xylazine hydrochloride (1 mg/kg BW i.m.), xylazine hydrochloride (1 mg/kg i.m.) followed by caffeine sodium benzoate (10 mg/kg i.m.), xylazine hydrochloride (0.5 mg/kg i.m.) and ketamine hydrochloride (4.5 mg/kg i.m.), and xylazine hydrochloride (1 mg/kg i.m.) followed by yohimbine hydrochloride (0.125 mg/kg i.m.), in a Latin Square design. Mean dry matter intake (DMI) for 4 days pre-treatment was compared to each of 4 days post-treatment. A significant (P less than 0.01) decrease in DMI was found only on the first day following treatment for each of the four drug combinations. The percent decreases in DMI on the first 24-hr period after immobilization were: xylazine hydrochloride 47%, xylazine hydrochloride/caffeine sodium benzoate 36%, xylazine hydrochloride/yohimbine hydrochloride 36%, and xylazine hydrochloride/ketamine hydrochloride 31%. The xylazine hydrochloride/ketamine hydrochloride combination was found to be insufficient to adequately sedate the deer. The use of caffeine or yohimbine hydrochloride is recommended to reduce recumbency time, but offers no improvement in xylazine hydrochloride-induced anorexia.

Serum lipids: interactions between age and moderate intensity exercise.

The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between age and selected serum lipids and lipoproteins in women before and after a physical fitness programme. Twenty females 27-59 years of age who had participated in the Purdue University Physical Fitness Programme were selected and placed into one of two groups: "junior" (mean age 34, all under 40 yrs) or "senior" (mean age 50, all over 43). A two way factorial design was used to study differences in serum triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), and the risk ratios TC/HDLC and LDLC/HDLC associated with physical fitness and the eight month physical fitness programme. The ability of the biochemical variables to discriminate between the age groups was investigated using discriminant function analyses. The analyses of variance indicated that although the two age groups were matched on the basis of a multivariate physical fitness score (Ismail et al, 1965) the older group was heavier (p less than 0.05), and had higher systolic and pulse pressures (p less than 0.05). Both groups increased their physical fitness score from pre to post programme (p less than 0.01). No significant age related biochemical differences were noted in the univariate analyses; however, in the discriminant function analyses the biochemical variables significantly discriminated between the two groups before, but not after the programme. A decrease in serum triglycerides was observed in the more highly fit women in each age group. These findings suggest that moderate levels of physical activity may help to counteract some of the undesirable changes in the lipid profile associated with age.