Polish J. Environ. Stud. Vol. 15, No. 2 (2006), 297-301 Original Research Contents of Calcium, Magnesium, and Phosphorus in Antlers and Cranial Bones of the European Red Deer (Cervus Elaphus) from Different Regions in Western Poland W. Nowicka, Z. Machoy, I. Gutowska*, I. Noceń, S. Piotrowska, D. Chlubek Dept. of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, ul. Powstańców Wlkp. 72, Poland Received: May 5, 2005 Accepted: October 17, 2005 Abstract Annual shedding of antlers by males is a characteristic feature of most deer species. Regrowth is very fast, reaching 2 cm/day for some species and making them an interesting model for studying tissue regener- ation processes. The aim of this study was to compare the contents of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus in antlers and cranial bones of European red deer from Western Pomerania, Poland. We obtained 30 antlers from three forestry districts that differed in the extent of environmental pollution with fluorine compounds, SO 2 , NO x , CO, and CO 2 (Trzebież, Rokita and Gryfino). Deer were assigned to two age groups: from 2 to 4 years, and from 6 to 8 years. Powdered samples of cranial bones and antler base obtained with a dental drill were dissolved in nitric acid. Calcium and magnesium contents were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy, while phosphorus was determined colorimetrically. The content of calcium was higher in ant- lers - (mean 133.96 mg/g) hardly surprising given the higher calcified cartilage and immature bone content in antler as opposed to cranial bone (mean 123.79 mg/g). Phosphorus content was slightly higher in bones than in antlers (84.62 mg/g and 83.58 mg/g, respectively), which suggests that Ca:P ratios are different in the mineral phase or that there is more P in bone compared to the antler matrix. No difference in magnesium content was noted (5.23 to 5.46 mg/g). Statistical analysis revealed significant differences depending on age of the animal and level of industrial pollution in the animal’s habitat. Keywords: calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, antler, deer, environmental pollution *Corresponding author; e-mail: izagut@poczta.onet.pl Introduction Deer antlers arouse interest not only because they are valued hunting trophies. They also have been subject of numerous scientific studies [1]. The process of ant- ler formation might be a useful model for investigating mineral metabolism as well as bone diseases. In environ- mental studies, they may be a bioindicator of pollution with chemical substances, including radioactive ones [2]. Antlers are shed and regenerated each year. Polish deer include red deer (Cervus elaphus) and roedeer (Capreolus capreolus L.), and also fallow deer (Dama dama L.) and moose (Alces alces L.). A decrease in calcium content of postcranial bones (metatarsus, ribs), plus reversible osteo- porosis in the period of antler mineralization in some of the cervid species have been reported (red deer, roe deer, fallow deer) [3, 4, 5]. Antler growth starts immediately af- ter the shedding of old antlers. In elk, there is a relatively