Variations in Density and Chemical Composition of White-Tailed Deer Antlers

Eighteen sets of cast antlers were collected from seven male white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus, maintained on a high nutritional plane. Density and chemical compositional differences were found to occur among deer and as a result of age and portion of antler analyzed. Antler density varied among deer, tended to decrease with age, and was lower along the length of the main beam than along the tines or at the antler tips. Chemical composition also varied among deer. Various elements were affected in differing ways by increases in age. Possible physiological and morphological reasons for these differences are discussed and a hypothesis regarding their behavioral significance is proposed.