The Effects of Elk Velvet Antler Dietary Supplementation on Physical Growth and Bone Development in Growing Rats

Abstract

Elk velvet antler (EVA) has been used in traditional Oriental medicine for centuries to promote general health; however, little evidence for its effect on bone development is available. We investigated the effects of lifelong exposure of Wistar rats to a diet containing 10% EVA on physical growth and bone development. Measurements included weekly body weights, blood chemistry and kidney and testis/ovary indices (sacrificed at 5, 9, or 16 weeks of age), and bone traits of the femur bones by peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT). Mean body weights were higher in the EVA group at 4-8 weeks in males and at 5 weeks of age in females. The kidney indices were greater in EVA dietary supplemented male rats at 5 and 16 weeks of age, in females at 16 weeks of age, and testis/ovary indices at 5 weeks of age. The femoral length was increased in both males and females at 5 weeks, and several pQCT-measured parameters had increased in EVA males and females. The activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) increased in EVA group while the content of calcium and phosphorus did not differ among groups. Our results seem to support a role for dietary supplementation of EVA on growth and bone development in this model.

Figure 1

Mean body weights of rats receiving either a control or EVA supplemented diet. Mean (± SEM) body weights of male (a) and female (b) rats, measured weekly from birth until 16 weeks of age (end of study). Groups of 7 male and 7 female rats from each of the control and EVA groups were sacrificed at 5, 9, or 16 weeks of age; therefore, n = 21/group until 5 weeks, n = 14/group until 9 weeks, and n = 7/group until 16 weeks of age. Asterisks indicate significant differences as compared to age-matched controls (^∗ P < 0.05).