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Abnormal testes in reindeer, Rangifer tarandus
Journal of Reproduction and Fertility
|September 1, 1979
Summary
Four male reindeer in South Georgia exhibited testicular abnormalities, including cryptorchidism and vestigial testes. Cryptorchid males had smaller antlers, but their antler cycle remained largely unaffected.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Science
- Reproductive Biology
- Mammalian Biology
Background:
- Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) are important Arctic and sub-Arctic ungulates.
- Reproductive health can influence secondary sexual characteristics like antlers.
- Testicular abnormalities are infrequently documented in wild reindeer populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document testicular abnormalities in a South Georgia reindeer population.
- To investigate the relationship between testicular abnormalities and antler development in reindeer.
Main Methods:
- Necropsy and gross examination of reproductive organs from a sample of reindeer.
- Antler size and cycle stage assessment in affected individuals.
Main Results:
- Four of the sampled male reindeer presented with testicular abnormalities: one with bilateral cryptorchidism, two with unilateral cryptorchidism, and one with a vestigial testis.
- Male reindeer with cryptorchid testes exhibited reduced antler size compared to unaffected individuals.
- The antler cycle progression was not significantly impacted by the presence of cryptorchid testes.
Conclusions:
- Testicular abnormalities, specifically cryptorchidism, can occur in reindeer populations.
- While cryptorchidism may be associated with smaller antler size, it does not appear to disrupt the annual antler cycle.
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