Effects of retinoic acid on pedicle and first antler growth in a fallow buck (Dama dama L.)

Unilateral injection of 10 mg all-trans retinoic acid tin 1 mi of castor oil) into the early pedicle anlage of a male fallow deer resulted in accelerated growth of the cranial appendage, and altered pedicle and first antler shape on the treatment side, whereas pedicle and antler growth on the control side, injected with 1 ml of vehicle solution only, was normal. It is concluded that retinoic acid is able to alter pedicle and first antler morphogenesis, presumably by affecting the positional information of the periosteal cells covering the incipient pedicle.