Antler growing cycles
Antler growing cycles
Overview of phases of growth cycle
Each year, antlers drop off and fully regenerate in a growth cycles.
Each antler growth cycle includes:
- initiation
- rapid growth (velvet phase)
- mineralisation
- velvet shedding
- antler casting
Various factors control the different phases
Control of antler growth
Being male secondary sexual characters, both pedicle formation and the subsequent antler growth cycle is under the control of testosterone. Testosterone levels at the various stages of the growth cycle are shown in the following table.
Stage | Testosterone level |
stimulation of pedicle formation | high |
commencement of new antler growth | low |
rapid antler growth | barely detectable |
antler calcification | increasing |
velvet shedding | high |
antler casting | decreasing |
The factor responsible for stimulating antler growth is insulin-like growth factor 1 ('IGF1'). The timing of the peak of IGF1 production is regulated by day length but the key factor influencing the amount of IGF1 production is nutrition. Good nutrition is therefore required to grow big antlers to the animal's full genetic potential. For more on the role of nutrition, see the section on quality.
Show me the science
For a detailed discourse on the science of antler growth, see Antler Growth: Nutritional and Endocrine Factors Fennessy, P.F. and Suttie, J.M.