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 cast or oil) into the early pedicle anlage of a male fallow deer resulted i n 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 onl y, was normal. It is concluded that retinoic acid is able to alter ped icle and first antler morphogenesis, presumably by affecting the posit ional information of the periosteal cells covering the incipient pedic le.