Effects of growth stage and position within the beam in the structure and chemical composition of sika deer (Cervus nippon) antlers
Byong Tae Jeon A G , Kyoung Hoon Kim B G , Sun Hee Cheong A , Sung Ki Kang C , Pyo Jam Park A , Dong Hyun Kim A , Ho Sung Jung D , Jae Hyun Park A , David G. Thomas E and Sang Ho Moon A F
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Korea Nokyong Research Center, Konkuk University, Chungju 380-701, Republic of Korea.
B National Institute of Animal Science, RDA, Suwon 440-706, Republic of Korea.
C Cheilbio Co. Ltd, 456-2 Moknae-Dong, Danwon-Gu, Ansan-City, Kyeong-Ki Province, Republic of Korea.
D Department of Emergency Medicine, Chungju Hospital, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Chungju 380-701, Republic of Korea.
E Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
F Corresponding author. Email: moon0204@kku.ac.kr
G These authors contributed equally to this work.
Animal Production Science 52(1) 51-57 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN11183
Submitted: 24 August 2011 Accepted: 2 December 2011 Published: 9 January 2012
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the changes in structural and chemical properties of sika deer antler at different stages of its growth in order to improve scientific assessment of antler’s quality. Eighteen antler samples, harvested on 40, 50 and 60 days after casting were collected from randomly selected deer farms, and the structural properties of antlers were examined. The chemical composition of each antler was determined in the upper, middle and basal section. Our results showed that the crude protein, crude fat (ether extract), uronic acid and sialic acid increased markedly from the base to the upper section, but the ash was higher in the basal section. Collagen content increased significantly from the upper to the basal section in all groups. The structural factors, including length and girth were positively or negatively correlated with the chemical composition such as glycosaminoglycans, ether extract-fat, ash, uronic acid, sialic acid, total sugar and collagen content. These findings may provide useful basic information and identify biomarkers for the association between structural properties and chemical composition during antler growth period, which should facilitate efficient production of high quality antlers for food consumption and as pharmaceutical agents.
Additional keywords: deer antler, growth period, structural properties.
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