What Does Testosterone Do For Red Deer Males?

The study shows that testosterone levels during the reproductive season have important effects in the life of male red deer.


Stags with high testosterone had larger testes and high quality sperm, translating into higher reproductive success. They also present stronger antlers, expectedly allowing them to win more male to male combats for females.


These males also have more red blood cells supplying oxygen to the muscles, giving them more stamina and endurance to defeat more males in combat and copulate with more females.


However, testosterone also presents costs, as stags with higher levels have more parasites.


Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences


Proceedings B is the Royal Society's flagship biological research journal, dedicated to the rapid publication and broad dissemination of high-quality research papers, reviews and comment and reply papers. The scope of journal is diverse and is especially strong in organismal biology.


Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences