title: Histogenetic aspects of deer antler development.
abstract: Deer antlers are the only mammalian organs that, once lost, can fully grow back; therefore, they offer a unique opportunity for investigating the mechanism underlying mammalian organ regeneration. This review summarizes the current knowledge of antler histogenesis. The axis of a pedicle (antecedent of antler) and a first antler consists of an internal component and an external component. Formation of the internal component commences from the proliferation of antlerogenic periosteal cells and undergoes 4 ossification stages: Formation of the external component goes through 3 distinguishable stages. Antler velvet transformation is mainly associated with alteration in the skin appendages. Subsequent antler regeneration is divided into 5 stages. The present account, together with the companion paper on antler morphogenesis in this special issue (E4, 1836-1842), provides a foundation for further mechanistic study of this fascinating model for mammalian organ regeneration.
authors.affiliation: AgResearch Invermay Agricultural Centre, Mosgiel, New Zealand. chunyi.li@agresearch.co.nz
authors.forename: Chunyi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000999:Antlers / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000254:growth & development*; D003670:Deer / Q000254:growth & development*; D006652:Histological Techniques; D008954:Models, Biological; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D012867:Skin / Q000254:growth & development*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology