Stem cells play a crucial role in the remarkable ability of deer to regrow their antlers, according to a study by the Royal Veterinary College in the UK.
Experts hope that this research may one day pave the way for repairing damaged human tissues and treating Parkinson’s disease.
Deer are the only mammals capable of regenerating a perfect part of their body—in this case, a pair of bony antlers covered in velvet skin. Professor Joanna Price stated, “The regeneration of antlers remains one of the mysteries of biology, but we are getting closer to understanding the underlying mechanisms.”
Antlers are structures made of bone that grow annually, die, shed, and then regenerate. They develop within three to four months, making them one of the fastest-growing living tissues. At the end of the mating season, deer shed their antlers to conserve energy. The following spring, a new pair of antlers emerges.
The study suggests that stem cells are foundational to this process. Their regulation may be influenced by hormones such as estrogen and testosterone.
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