Antler stem cells and their potential in wound healing and bone regeneration

Figure 1 Antler regeneration cycle[11]. In spring, bony antlers drop off from their pedicle (permanent bony protuberance). Velvet antler regenerates immediately. In late spring and early summer, rapid antler growth occurs and antlers are covered with velvet skin in their growing phase. In autumn, antlers become completely calcified and the skin covering them starts to shed. In winter, dead bony antlers are attached to their living pedicles and eventually cast in spring next year, triggering a new round of antler regeneration. Citation: Li C, Chu W. The regenerating antler blastema: the derivative of stem cells resident in a pedicle stump. Front Biosci (Landmark Ed) 2016; 21: 455-467. Copyright © Frontiers in Bioscience. Published by Frontiers in Bioscience.