Effect of Different Factors on Proliferation of Antler Cells, Cultured In Vitro

Abstract

Antlers as a potential model for bone growth and development have become an object of rising interest. To elucidate processes explaining how antler growth is regulated, in vitro cultures have been established. However, until now, there has been no standard method to cultivate antler cells and in vitro results are often opposite to those reported in vivo. In addition, many factors which are often not taken into account under in vitro conditions may play an important role in the development of antler cells. In this study we investigated the effects of the antler growth stage, the male individuality, passaged versus primary cultures and the effect of foetal calf serum concentrations on proliferative potential of mixed antler cell cultures in vitro, derived from regenerating antlers of red deer males (Cervus elaphus). The proliferation potential of antler cells was measured by incorporation of 3H thymidine. Our results demonstrate that there is no significant effect of the antler growth stage, whereas male individuality and all other examined factors significantly affected antler cell proliferation. Furthermore, our results suggest that primary cultures may better represent in vivo conditions and processes occurring in regenerating antlers. In conclusion, before all main factors affecting antler cell proliferation in vitro will be satisfactorily investigated, results of in vitro studies focused on hormonal regulation of antler growth should be taken with extreme caution.

Phenotypic Differences in White-Tailed Deer Antlerogenic Progenitor Cells and Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

“…However, proliferation of red deer (Cervus elaphus) APC in vitro is independent on the stage of antler regrowth during which the cells were harvested. 24 It is conceivable that the situation is similar in the white-tailed deer as well.…”

“…28 On the other hand, it is unclear whether IGF-1, which stimulates antler cell proliferation in vitro, 28,29 is the key stimulatory factor in antler growth. 24 DEX can promote or suppress bone cell proliferation and differentiation directly and through interactions with hormones such as IGF-1. 26,30,31,32 DEX can also reduce antler cell proliferation in vitro.…”

Endocrine relationships between rank - related behavior and antler growth in deer

“…Clearly, this could be one of the major reasons of the discrepancy between the studies. Even the presence of serum during the precultivation and passaging (103) could be important as this could influence later proliferation response of cell cultures (104).…”

“…There is no reason to assume all these cells show the same reaction to IGF-1 and testosterone. Moreover, we have recently reported that for example the individuality of the animal from which the antler tissue was taken, and also various other factors, significantly affected antler cell proliferation (104). However, some of these factors, if not all, were omitted in most of the earlier studies.…”

Bone vs. fat: Embryonic origin of progenitors determines response to androgen in adipocytes and osteoblasts

“…Regeneration of the antler is derived from the specialized antlerogenic frontal pedicle periosteum [39, 40]. Although the pedicles do not develop until puberty and are androgen-dependent [41, 42], the specific role of androgen signaling to simulate bone formation is not well characterized [43]. Finally, fate mapping using labeled progenitors is a classic approach employed to directly characterize the contribution of cell linage and the embryonic origin of tissues [for example, see 27].…”