Deer Antler, Volume 1: Morphogenesis, Regeneration, and Regulation

This book provides a systematic overview of deer antler biology and the ten biomedical models derived from it. Deer antlers are unique mammalian bony organs: they are shed and fully regenerated each year, offering an exceptional opportunity to study natural organ regeneration; they grow at an extraordinary rate (up to 2 cm per day) without becoming cancerous; and they undergo a complete annual reversal of severe physiological osteoporosis, providing an unparalleled natural model for osteoporosis research. This book presents a timely and comprehensive review of advances in deer antler research over recent decades, compiling key findings into a cohesive and accessible resource. It serves as a valuable reference for graduate students, researchers, and professionals across the biomedical sciences. Volume I presents the fundamental biology of deer antlers, covering taxonomy, morphology, development, histology, vascularization, innervation, antlerogenic tissues, stem cells, and key endocrine–nutritional–environmental regulators, integrating classical anatomy with modern molecular insights to establish antlers as a model of mammalian organ regeneration.