Mineral composition of antlers of three deer species reared in captivity

In order to study the mineral composition of antlers, nine fallen hard antler samples comprising three each of Barasingha (swamp deer, Cervus duvaceli), Chital (axis deer, Axis axis) and hog deer (Axis porcinus) reared in captivity were collected and analysed for various minerals. Dry matter, crude protein (31.99, 35.16 and 36.59%) and total ash (62.94, 62.54 and 60.27%) contents were similar among the three species, whereas the fat content was greater (P < 0.05) for swamp deer (5.08%) compared to axis deer (2.31%) but compatible with hog deer (3.14%). Concentrations of calcium (23.44, 23.43 and 22.05%), magnesium (0.73, 0.80 and 0.74%), cobalt (9.01, 8.04 and 7.67 ppm) and Zinc (33.50, 32.14 and 35.81 ppm) were not different among species. However, the concentration of phosphorus was lower (P < 0.05) in axis deer (10.83%) in comparison to swamp deer (12.62%) and hog deer (12.23%). Concentration of copper was higher (P < 0.05) in hog deer (8.44 ppm) in relation to that of swamp deer (5.30 ppm) and axis deer (6.10 ppm). Concentrations of the heavy metals, lead and cadmium, were similar among the three species. It was concluded that the concentrations of various minerals in the fallen hard antlers of the three species of deer were similar to those reported for bones of domestic animals. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.