Palmated Antlers of Moose May Serve as A Parabolic Reflector of Sounds

It has been postulated that the excellent sense of hearing in moose is mostly due to: (1) the large surface of the external ear, (2) better stereophony due to the large distance between ears, (3) independently movable, extremely adjustable pinna, and (4) the amplification of sounds reflected by the palms of the antlers. The last factor, possible reflection of sounds into pinna by the palm of the antlers, was tested in this study on a large antler trophy of Alaskan moose. The reception of a standard tone, broadcast from the frontally placed speaker, was recorded by a sound level meter located in an artificial moose ear. Three locations of the ear, as positioned relative to the speaker, e.g., frontward, sideward, and backward, were tested. The weakest reception was recorded in the backward position of the ear. If the sound pressure measured in the frontward position was set as 100%, the sound pressure in the backward position was 79%. The strongest reception was recorded when the artificial ear was positioned toward the center of the antler palm. In this position, the sound pressure was 119% relative to the frontward position. These findings strongly indicate that the palm of moose antlers may serve as an effective, parabolic reflector which increases the acoustic pressure of the incoming sound

Velvet antlers as medicinal preparation and nutritional supplement

Farmski uzgoj jelenske divljači karakteriziran je proizvodnjom kvalitetne divljačine i rogova u bastu te pored toga predstavlja osnovu za napučivanje prirodnih staništa jelenskom divljači. Ova je činjenica od posebna značaja za ugrožene vrste jelena. Rogovi u bastu predstavljaju rastuće, nepotpuno mineralizirano tkivo prekriveno specifičnom kožnom tvorbom zvanom bast. Odstranjivanje rogova u bastu je složen kirurški zahvat koji zahtijeva primjenu neke od postojećih metoda anestezije. Nakon odstranjivanja, rogovi u bastu prolaze postupak pripreme, u pravilu kroz dehidraciju, otapanje u alkoholu ili vodenu ekstrakciju. Sastav rastućih rogova pokazuje izrazitu dijetetsku komponentu te prisutnost velikog broja različitih biološki aktivnih molekula. Ovakav je sastav razlogom njihove izrazite primjene u sklopu tradicijske medicine Dalekog Istoka. Unatoč svemu, njihova primjena na zapadnom tržištu je neznatna, prvenstveno uslijed brojnih predrasuda i nedostatka znanstvenih potvrda o njihovom djelovanju. Konačno, u proizvodnji rogova u bastu neophodno je zadovoljiti sve aspekte dobrobiti mužjaka, pravilne pripreme i dodatnih mogućnosti zaštite produkta te veterinarsko sanitarnog nadzora u proizvodnji.Deer farming is characterized by production of quality venison and velvet antlers. It may also serve as a base for reintroducing threatened deer species into their natural habitats. Velvet antlers are growing, premineralized tissues that are covered by special type of skin, called the velvet. Velvet antler removal is a complex surgical procedure that demands the application of one of the available methods of anaesthesia. After the procedure, velvet antlers have to be treated, mainly through dehydration procedure, water extraction procedure or as alcohol solution. The composition of the velvet antlers reveals various dietetic components and a presence of large number of different biologically active molecules. This is the reason why velvet antlers are traditionally used as a part of Oriental traditional medicine. Despite these facts their use on the western market is still minor, mainly due to some prejudices and the lack of rigorous scientific proofs of effectiveness. Finally, in order to protect the quality of the final product and to satisfy all aspects of animal welfare, additional measures such as veterinary monitoring of velvet antler production should be taken

Effect of Different Factors on Proliferation of Antler Cells, Cultured In Vitro

Antlers as a potential model for bone growth and development have become an object of rising interest. To elucidate processes explaining how antler growth is regulated, in vitro cultures have been established. However, until now, there has been no standard method to cultivate antler cells and in vitro results are often opposite to those reported in vivo. In addition, many factors which are often not taken into account under in vitro conditions may play an important role in the development of antler cells. In this study we investigated the effects of the antler growth stage, the male individuality, passaged versus primary cultures and the effect of foetal calf serum concentrations on proliferative potential of mixed antler cell cultures in vitro, derived from regenerating antlers of red deer males (Cervus elaphus). The proliferation potential of antler cells was measured by incorporation of 3H thymidine. Our results demonstrate that there is no significant effect of the antler growth stage, whereas male individuality and all other examined factors significantly affected antler cell proliferation. Furthermore, our results suggest that primary cultures may better represent in vivo conditions and processes occurring in regenerating antlers. In conclusion, before all main factors affecting antler cell proliferation in vitro will be satisfactorily investigated, results of in vitro studies focused on hormonal regulation of antler growth should be taken with extreme caution

Palmated Antlers of Moose May Serve as A Parabolic Reflector of Sounds

It has been postulated that the excellent sense of hearing in moose is mostly due to: (1) the large surface of the external ear, (2) better stereophony due to the large distance between ears, (3) independently movable, extremely adjustable pinna, and (4) the amplification of sounds reflected by the palms of the antlers. The last factor, possible reflection of sounds into pinna by the palm of the antlers, was tested in this study on a large antler trophy of Alaskan moose. The reception of a standard tone, broadcast from the frontally placed speaker, was recorded by a sound level meter located in an artificial moose ear. Three locations of the ear, as positioned relative to the speaker, e.g., frontward, sideward, and backward, were tested. The weakest reception was recorded in the backward position of the ear. If the sound pressure measured in the frontward position was set as 100%, the sound pressure in the backward position was 79%. The strongest reception was recorded when the artificial ear was positioned toward the center of the antler palm. In this position, the sound pressure was 119% relative to the frontward position. These findings strongly indicate that the palm of moose antlers may serve as an effective, parabolic reflector which increases the acoustic pressure of the incoming sound

VELERICORN ANTLERS ON A MATURE MALE MOOSE (ALCES A. GIGAS)

Macro- and microscopic descriptions of perennial, velericorn antlers on a male moose are presented. Unlike the proliferating cartilaginous nodules of “peruke” antlers, the growth of velericorn antlers was relatively controlled with evidence of sequestration (separation) of tines and a degree of regeneration where tines and part of the palm had been lost. In contrast to the centripetal ossification of the pedicels and antlers of normal moose, the slow osteogenic process in velericorn proceeded centrifugally, from the inner core outwards. Proliferation of the integument lead to the formation of epidermal cysts and areas of ectopic ossification. Extra-testicular androgens are believed to cause velericorn antler growth. It is hypothesized that an analogous growth and ossification process characterized proto- and pseudoantlers of the Miocene