鹿角生长发育与再生机制研究进展

Advancements in the Study of Antler Growth,Development,and Regeneration Mechanisms

鹿科(Cervidae)动物是反刍动物的一大类群,中国拥有世界上最丰富的鹿科动物种质资源。与其他反刍动物相比,鹿科动物最独特的特点是拥有能够定期再生的器官性骨质角。不同品种的鹿角形态具有较大差异,大部分复杂的大型鹿角主要用于求偶期的争斗,开展鹿角功能与演化的研究对动物遗传学、行为学和生态学有极高价值。鹿角生长发育受多种因素调控,因每年定期再生与快速生长机制,使鹿角成为研究哺乳动物器官再生的理想模型,同时鹿角快速增殖却极少产生癌变的特性也为癌症治疗研究提供了新的视野。有关鹿角生长发育和再生机制的研究近年来取得诸多重要成果,本文对鹿角的生物学特征和初生发育、成熟脱落与再生过程的研究进展进行综述,以期为鹿科动物种质资源保护利用和深入解析鹿角独特性质遗传机制提供理论依据。

Cervidae,a major group of ruminant mammals,and China has the richest deer germplasm resources in the world.Compared with other ruminants,the most unique feature of Cervidae is the possession of organogenic bony horns that can regenerate periodically.The morphology of antlers varies greatly among different deer species,with the complex and large antlers primarily used for male competition during the mating season.Investigating the function and evolution of antlers is of great value to animal genetics,behavioral,and ecological studies.The growth and development of antlers are regulated by numerous factors.The annual regeneration and rapid growth mechanism of deer antlers make them an ideal model for studying organ regeneration in mammals.Furthermore,the rapid proliferation of antler cells with minimal occurrence of cancer provides a new perspective for cancer research.Research on the mechanisms of antler growth,development and regeneration mechanisms has yielded many important results in recent years.This article provides an overview of biological characteristics and research progress on the initial development,maturation,shedding,and regeneration processes of antlers,aiming to lay a theoretical foundation for the protection and utilization of germplasm resources of Cervidae,as well as the in-depth analysis of the genetic mechanism of antlers’unique properties.