Seasonal changes of testis volume and sperm quality in adult fallow deer (Dama dama) and their relationship to the antler cycle

Gosch, B.; Fischer, K.

Four adult fallow deer were investigated over 1-4 consecutive yr. Testis volume started to increase in July/Aug., peaked just before the rut, declined until Dec. to 50% of the max. value, persisted at this level to Feb./Mar. and reached a min. volume after antler casting in late Apr. There was no apparent effect of age on the seasonality of testis size fluctuations. Velvet shedding and antler casting occurred at about 80 and 25% resp. of max. testis volume.