Dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, and their relation to cortisol in red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Adrenal androgens, dehydroepiandrosterone, its sulphate and, in comparison, cortisol in serum were determined over two periods in red deer. The hormone levels were determined in hinds farmed from their births, captured in adulthood, and in fawns reared under farm conditions with their mothers or under artificial farm conditions without their mothers. In addition, steroid levels were studied in stags under farm conditions in and after the breeding season. Investigation of animals for their potential as farmed animals gave information on the stress susceptibility. It is suggested that the present assessment of hormonal events will provide prognostic information on their adaptation to farm conditions, reproductive performance, and possibly, their immune responses and the quality of their products.