How do bovid horns differ from deer antlers?

Bovid horns and deer antlers differ fundamentally in their composition, growth, and permanence:

• Composition: Bovid horns consist of a hollow, unbranched keratinous sheath that grows over a permanent bony core. In contrast, deer antlers are composed entirely of solid bone.12
• Growth and Shedding: True horns are never shed and continue to grow throughout the animal's life. Antlers are shed and regrown annually; during their growth phase, they are covered in a vascularized, nerve-filled skin known as "velvet," which is eventually removed.1234
• Branching: Bovid horns are typically unbranched. Deer antlers generally become increasingly branched with age.12
• Presence: Horns are often present on both sexes in bovids, whereas antlers are typically found only in males (with the notable exception of the reindeer).324

If a bovid's horn is lost, it does not regenerate, whereas deer antlers are naturally replaced each year. These structures serve as vital tools for defense, territorial marking, and competition for mates.213