Effects of pharmacological castration on endocrinological and chemical profiles in captive red and fallow deer

In wildlife captive management, contraception is highly desirable due to inbreeding risk and needed control of intra- inter-specific aggressions. Deer, for which surgical castration can cause abnormal growth the antlers, are suitable candidates pharmacological castration. The aim this study was evaluate effect on physiological patterns volatile chemical profiles two deer species. We placed a subcutaneous implant deslorelin acetate (4.7 mg) four male red (Cervus elaphus) fallow (Dama dama) (N = 6) living together in mixed-sex -species group housed at rescue centre Tuscany, Italy. combined hormone measurements investigation metatarsal scent-gland odour secretions test whether will influence profile, potentially modifying olfactory communication during rutting season. used radioimmunoassay technique determine faecal plasma testosterone as well cortisol levels, solid-phase microextraction coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyse secretions. found that levels decreased after deposition implant. However, castrated exhibited more variability concentrations throughout period compared deer, whose remained low detected total 124 (red deer) 88 (fallow compounds secretions, including naturally occurring ketones, alcohols, aldehydes, terpenes, carboxylic acids, esters, fatty hydrocarbons. Odour richness, but not abundance or ratios compounds, changed with deer. conclusion, our preliminary findings suggest acetate, causing decrease level impacting profile could work non-invasive approach human-managed populations