The fallow deer (Dama dama) is a species of Cervidae commonly kept in captivity, either in commercial farms or in zoos. The reproductive seasonality of this species is well known in the northern hemisphere, where photoperiod is a decisive factor in androgenic activity and, consequently, in the development of secondary sexual characteristics among male adults. The maintenance of this species in tropical regions has been successful, but there are no studies that demonstrate the maintenance of reproductive seasonality under these climatic conditions, which was the objective of the present study. To do so, the present investigation involved 27 fallow deer (D. dama) specimens, of which 14 were adults and 13 prepubescent (<8 months) individuals, all assessed during and outside (December-February) the reproductive season (June-August). The serum concentrations of testosterone, testicular volume, and neck circumference were analyzed among all animals during both seasons. The reproductive season was marked by expressive hormonal concentrations, increasing neck circumference and testicular volume, differing significantly between adults and prepubescent individuals outside the season. Positive correlations were observed among all analyzed variables: mean testicular volume and neck circumference (r = 0.92, p < 0.0001), testicular volume and testosterone concentrations (r = 0.79, p < 0.0001) and between neck circumference and testosterone concentrations (r = 0.67, p < 0.0001). Given the results found, the conclusion is that even under tropical climate conditions the reproductive seasonality of the fallow deer is well defined and may be related to photoperiod.

中文翻译：

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热带地区迁地放养的小鹿(Dama dama)血清睾酮浓度、睾丸体积和颈围的季节性变化

休耕鹿（Dama dama）是鹿科的一种，通常圈养在商业农场或动物园中。该物种的繁殖季节性在北半球是众所周知的，在北半球，光周期是雄激素活动的决定性因素，因此也是雄性成年第二性征发育的决定性因素。该物种在热带地区的维持是成功的，但没有研究证明在这些气候条件下维持繁殖季节性，这是本研究的目标。为此，本次调查涉及 27 只休耕鹿 (D. dama) 标本，其中 14 只成年鹿和 13 只青春期前（<8 个月）个体，均在生殖季节（6 月至 8 月）期间和之外（12 月至 2 月）进行评估）。分析了两个季节所有动物的血清睾酮浓度、睾丸体积和颈围。生殖季节的特点是荷尔蒙浓度高，颈围和睾丸体积增加，在季节外成人和青春期前的个体之间存在显着差异。在所有分析变量中均观察到正相关：平均睾丸体积和颈围 (r = 0.92, p < 0.0001)、睾丸体积和睾酮浓度 (r = 0.79, p < 0.0001) 以及颈围和睾酮浓度之间 (r = 0.67) , p < 0.0001)。鉴于发现的结果，结论是即使在热带气候条件下，休耕鹿的繁殖季节性也很明确，可能与光周期有关。