Reindeer afflictions

[Xenophon PCDGS]

If a reindeer was found to have a red nose, what affliction did it suffer from?

 

[simonw]

If a reindeer was found to have a red nose, what affliction did it suffer from?

I don't know, but it is female reindeer that have antlers in winter time, so this might tell you something about Rudolf

 

[Amos]

Perhaps Rudolph has been having a nip of the sherry left out for Santa?

 

[oldman]

Possibly a rhinovirus, but do they have rhinos in Lapland?

 

[OhNoAPacer]

I don't know what the affliction is, possibly something genetic, but I just hope it doesn't end up costing him deer.

I'll get my coat.

 

[Purple Train]

I love threads like this, we need more of them! I would be inclined to agree with Amos's suggestion that alcohol may be involved, but it may be some reindeer/gazelle hybrid that copes less well with the Arctic cold.

 

[Speed Whiskers]

An observational study on this subject was published in the British Medical Journal in 2012. The authors concluded that "The nasal microcirculation of reindeer is richly vascularised, with a vascular density 25% higher than that in humans. These results highlight the intrinsic physiological properties of Rudolph’s legendary luminous red nose, which help to protect it from freezing during sleigh rides and to regulate the temperature of the reindeer’s brain, factors essential for flying reindeer pulling Santa Claus’s sleigh under extreme temperatures."

Why Rudolph’s nose is red: observational study

Objective To characterise the functional morphology of the nasal microcirculation in humans in comparison with reindeer as a means of testing the hypothesis that the luminous red nose of Rudolph, one of the most well known reindeer pulling Santa Claus’s sleigh, is due to the presence of a highly...

www.bmj.com

Abstract​

Objective To characterise the functional morphology of the nasal microcirculation in humans in comparison with reindeer as a means of testing the hypothesis that the luminous red nose of Rudolph, one of the most well known reindeer pulling Santa Claus’s sleigh, is due to the presence of a highly dense and rich nasal microcirculation.

Design Observational study.

Setting Tromsø, Norway (near the North Pole), and Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Participants Five healthy human volunteers, two adult reindeer, and a patient with grade 3 nasal polyposis.

Main outcome measures Architecture of the microvasculature of the nasal septal mucosa and head of the inferior turbinates, kinetics of red blood cells, and real time reactivity of the microcirculation to topical medicines.

Results Similarities between human and reindeer nasal microcirculation were uncovered. Hairpin-like capillaries in the reindeers’ nasal septal mucosa were rich in red blood cells, with a perfused vessel density of 20 (SD 0.7) mm/mm2. Scattered crypt or gland-like structures surrounded by capillaries containing flowing red blood cells were found in human and reindeer noses. In a healthy volunteer, nasal microvascular reactivity was demonstrated by the application of a local anaesthetic with vasoconstrictor activity, which resulted in direct cessation of capillary blood flow. Abnormal microvasculature was observed in the patient with nasal polyposis.

Conclusions The nasal microcirculation of reindeer is richly vascularised, with a vascular density 25% higher than that in humans. These results highlight the intrinsic physiological properties of Rudolph’s legendary luminous red nose, which help to protect it from freezing during sleigh rides and to regulate the temperature of the reindeer’s brain, factors essential for flying reindeer pulling Santa Claus’s sleigh under extreme temperatures.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

There is also that the fact that the nose in question was said to be shiny, which is a sign that tissue swelling had occurred.

The subject of reindeer games has been one in which it has been found that is only practised by one little-known sub-species where certain individuals were not allowed to be participants.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Is it not merely an anti collision beacon...?

 

[PG]

Rudolph is merely responding to Santa calling out  Reddy, Steddy, Go!

 

[GusB]

In order to be compliant, shouldn't Rudolph have a white nose? The red bit should be on the rear...

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Despite there being a large number of genetic sub-species world-wide, it is said in certain quarters that the only known ones with the flight ability were from a very poorly-researched subject matter, but the nasal problem was said to be a problematical evolutionary trait specific with that sub-species that still retained the flight ability

Is it not merely an anti collision beacon...?

It would be very useful in such cases, as one of these animals is known to have passed its driving test. Santa has a very expensive car, a Slater Knight, and when in need of a chauffeur, has been heard to say....
"Rudolph, with your nose so bright, won't you drive my Slater Knight"