Abstract:Based on the data of three captive populations of musk deer in different regions, 61 musk deers in Sichuan Province, 23 adult musk deers in Ankang and 5 adult musk deers (>2-years-old) in Fengxian of Shaanxi were randomly sampled, in order to explore the distribution pattern of starting time, age, climate factors and musk yield in different regions. The results showed that there were two peak periods in the physiological response of musk secretion both in domesticated population of Shaanxi and Sichuan. The peak period in Ankang was concentrated in the beginning and the end of May, which occurred frequently at the end of May, in Sichuan it appeared in the beginning and the end of June, which occurred frequently at the beginning of June. With the increasing of age before 5, the physiological response of musk secretion was intensive and obvious, and then tended to be flat with the increasing of age. The beginning of physiological response of musk secretion in Sichuan was about 1 month later than that in Shaanxi, while the peak frequency was close, and the physiological responses of musk in two populations were mainly completed within 40 days. There was significant difference only among the groups in the later period of musk secretion(P>0.05). Nearly 11.48% of the individuals had two physiological reactions in the season of musk secretion but the yield of musk was low, which was mainly over 8-9 years old. 9.8% male musk deer did not secrete musk and was mainly over 9 years old. The yield of musk had no relationship with the stage of musk physiological reaction. The low yield group (≤ 10g) accounted for 18.93%, the middle yield group (≤ 20g) accounted for 45.94%, and the high yield group(>20g) accounted for 35.13%, which showed that the yield varied greatly. Temperature and illumination time had no significant effect on the duration of each physiological stage of musk group, but had significant influence on the starting time of musk secretion, the musk yield was not related to the stage of physiological reaction and the observed age group, but seemed to be related to the intensity of physiological reaction.