Serum biochemical values during antler growth in sika deer (Cervus nippon)

Serum biochemical values were measured in blood samples collected from 8 fasted stags from both jugular and femoral veins at 18-day intervals during antler growth. Samples were analyzed for blood substrate, enzyme activity values, minerals and electrolyte. There were no significant differences in total protein, albumin, urea, creatinine, triglyceride, glucose or cholesterol concentration between veins or sampling dates. However, total-bilirubin concentration in the jugular vein on the casting date was three times higher than on the other sampling dates (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase with progressing antler growth. The highest level of alkaline phosphatase concentration was on day 55 after casting. There were no significant differences in inorganic phosphorus, sodium and chloride concentration between jugular and femoral samples. Calcium concentration was significantly higher in the femoral vein on the cutting date (55 day) than in the jugular vein (p<0.05). There were few changes in serum biochemical values. However, some electrolytes and minerals had differences during antler growth. It is suggested that despite such a big event as antler growth, blood biochemical values are not variable if feeding conditions are consistently maintained as was the case in this study.