The Roe Deer


Welcome to the

Roe Deer Research Group

Aberdeen
Scotland
United Kingdom
 

The female European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) exhibits the reproductive strategy of delayed implantation. The objectives of this research is to more fully understand this phenomena. By understanding reproduction in the roe deer, the long-term future of this beautiful animal is assured

Click here to read about
Reproduction in the female roe deer

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For detailed information on roe deer ecology go to

The Ecology of the European Roe Deer

 

For Photos of European Roe Deer Click here

For sources of information about the ecology of all British deer species try these Links:

Wild facts

Deer UK

British Deer Society
DeerNet

 The Mammal Society

If you are considering zoology as a career contact Zoology, University of Aberdeen

A Puzzle Solved

 

UNIQUE PROTEIN FOUND IN ROE DEER EMBRYOS

 

Reproduction in female European roe deer has been a bit of a mystery for over 200 years. She has not given up her secrets easily. The roe deer has the reproductive strategy of embryonic diapause (delayed implantation), the rut takes place in late July or early August and she gives birth the following late May or early June. Between the time of the rut and late December the embryo remains at about the 30-cell stage and is in a state of diapause. The embryo (biologically known as a blastocyst at this developmental stage) is tiny, less than 1mm in diameter, during the period of embryonic diapause.

 

In late December or early January the blastocyst reactivates, grows rapidly and forms a placental attachment to the mother and normal fetal growth follows. What no one knew was what triggered the embryo to reactivate, as roe does do not have any of the usual hormonal signals associated with the end of the period of embryonic diapause found in other mammals.

 

By using the latest scientific techniques (similar to DNA sequencing) the Department of Zoology at the University of Aberdeen, has solved the puzzle. The blastocyst sends out a 'signal' to its mother with a protein called PAG (Pregnancy Associated Glycoprotein) unique to the roe deer; i.e. the genetic profile of the roe deer PAG is very different from PAGs found in other similar species. To be more technical, PAGs were first discovered in cows and sheep in the 1990's and their properties show that they belong to the aspartic proteinase gene family, are highly polymorphous (genetically very adaptable and constantly changing their DNA profile), are released from trophoblast cells (these are a thin layer of cells which surround the blastocyst and eventually form the placenta) and bind to specific cell surface receptors on maternal target cells on the endometrium in the uterus. The role for PAGs in trophoblast cells had not previously been defined, basically no one knew what they were for, because in other species, recognition that she is pregnant is the result of the mother sending out an hormonal signal (usually progesterone) and the embryo replying, again with a hormonal signal.  In roe deer the doe does not send out a maternal signal to say 'that's delayed implantation over, time you (the embryo) woke up' which is why it has been so hard to find out what actually happens. Our study demonstrates that embryonic programming (the embryo has a built in 'clock') initiates the transcription of specific genes in the inner cell mass of the embryo (these are the cells which will eventually form the deer). These specific genes send out messenger RNA and this directs synthesis of rdPAG in the trophoblast. The roe deer specific PAG is released from the trophoblast and it triggers the maternal response by targeting endometrial (uterine) receptors. As soon as the doe has received this message from the blastocyst a whole 'cascade' effect is triggered of maternal hormones (oestrogens), which starts off the second phase of her pregnancy. The embryo rapidly elongates and then forms a placental attachment to the endometrium and normal fetal growth follows for the next five months.

 

A puzzle resolved and as always the European roe deer does it differently than any other mammal. It is indeed a unique animal.

 

To see what a reactivating roe deer blastocyst looks like go to Embryo Reactivation

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RECENT PUBLICATIONS
 Roe Deer Research Group

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Israel Journal of Zoology

Vol: 51: 1  2005

 

A pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) unique to the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and

its role in the termination of embryonic diapause and maternal recognition of pregnancy

Roger T Lambert

School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen

 

 

Click to Read Abstract     

 

6th European Roe Deer Meeting

Biology Department, University of Minho, Portugal 23rd April – 26th April 2003.

 

A pregnancy associated glycoprotein (PAG) unique to the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and its role in the termination of embryonic diapause and maternal recognition of pregnancy

Roger T. Lambert1, Paul A. Racey1and Cheryl J. Ashworth2

1Department of Zoology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 2TZ, UK

2Department of Applied Physiology, Scottish Agricultural College, Bucksburn Aberdeen AB21 9YA, UK

 

Click to Read Abstract

 

The pre-oestrus signal, variations in pregnancy length and photoperiod manipulation of pregnant roe deer does (Capreolus capreolus)

Roger T. Lambert1, Paul A. Racey1and Cheryl J. Ashworth2

1Department of Zoology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 2TZ, UK

2Department of Applied Physiology, Scottish Agricultural College, Bucksburn Aberdeen AB21 9YA, UK

 

Click to Read Abstract       


Journal of
  REPRODUCTION
Vol. 121:6  2001

Temporal changes in reproductive hormones and conceptus-endometrial interactions during embryonic diapause and reactivation of the blastocyst in European roe deer  (Capreolus capreolus)
R.T. Lambert1, 2, C.J. Ashworth2, L. Beattie2, F.E. Gebbie 3,
J.S.M. Hutchinson 4, D.J. Kyle2 and P.A. Racey 1
1Department of Zoology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, UK
2 Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, AB21 9SB, UK
3 Department of Applied Physiology, Scottish Agricultural College, Craibstone Estate, Aberdeen, AB21 9YA, UK
4Department of Agriculture, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 5UA,

Reproduction(2001) 121:6 pp 863-871ISSN 1470-1626
(c)  2001 Journals of Reproduction and Fertility

Click to Read Abstract       You can also download the complete article as a pdf file CLICK to go to download page

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5th European Roe Deer Meeting
Instituto Nazionale per la Fauna Selvatica, Tredozio, Italy, 24 – 27 April 2001

Embryonic Diapause in Roe Deer: The physiology and endocrinology of the pregnant roe deer between the period of late embryonic diapause and early fetal growth.
R.T. Lambert , C.J. Ashworth , L. Beattie , F.E. Gebbie ,  J.S.M. Hutchinson , D.J. Kyle  and P.A. Racey

Click to Read Abstract

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Society for the Study of Fertility and
Deutsche Gesellschaft Zum Studien Der Fertilitat Und Sterilitat
Joint Winter Meeting 1998
17th-19th December 1998 at Aachen, Germany

Temporal changes in reproductive hormones during embryonic diapause and reactivation of the blastocyst in the European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)

RT Lambert,  CJ Ashworth,  L Beattie,  FE Gebbie,  JSM Hutchinson,   DJ Kyle andPA Racey.

Abstract published 1998, Journal of Reproduction and Fertility,  22: 33.
ISSN:0954-0725

Click to Read Abstract

Further Publications

Lambert, Roger, 2005  The European roe deer: a unique mammal, Mammal News No. 141

Lambert, Roger, 2004  Reproduction in European roe deer, Deer Vol:13 No.4

Lambert, Roger, 2000  Variation in pregnancy length in the European roe deer (Capreolus
capreolus)Deer Vol.11, No.8: 415-416 ISSN 0141 4259

Lambert, Roger, 1999  Reproduction in roe deer. BBC Wildlife, Vol.15: No. 5
ISSN 0265-3656.   BBC Nature

Lambert, Roger, 1999  Monoestry in the European roe deer and Are pregnant roe kids an illusion? Deer  Vol.11, No.2: 67-69  ISSN 0141-4259

Lambert, Roger, 1999  The 4th International Biology of Deer Congress (Oral Paper: Temporal changes in reproductive hormones and conceptus-endometrial interactions during delayed implantation in European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus).
Deer  Vol.11, No 1: 9-11  ISSN 0141-4259

Lambert, Roger, 1998  Maternal behaviour in the European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)   Deer Vol.10, No.10: 613-615 ISSN 0141-4529

Lambert, R. T. et al  1998 Temporal changes in reproductive hormones and conceptus-endometrial interactions during delayed implantation in the European roe deer
4th International Deer Biology Congress, Pannon University of Agriculture Faculty of Animal Science, Kaposvár, Hungary, 30 June - 4 July 1998
Published 1999.- In: Z. Zomborszky (ed.) Advances in Deer Biology, pp 136-139  ISBN: 963-9096-53-9

Research supported by the British Deer Society
and the University of Aberdeen

The animals in this study were under veterinary supervision and the greatest care was taken to ensure no animal was harmed in any way and that their welfare was of the utmost importance

Contact us at  info@roedeer.org.uk


 

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