Review of Scientific Literature on
ELK VELVET ANTLER8. Future Directions
for Velvet Antler Research
A more scientific understanding of the bioactive
components of velvet antler is necessary to define that nature of the compounds and their
effects in animal systems. This is necessary to define the effects of drying and
processing methods on bioactivity and to maintain and improve product quality. It is also
necessary in the search for new bioactive compounds which may be unique to velvet antler
and which could provide new insights into the control of differentiation, growth and
metabolism. One of the prime objectives must be to develop in vitro systems to assay the
bioactivity of velvet antler preparations. This may be difficult in the sense that some of
the reported effects of velvet antlerwould appear to be dependent on an integrated whole
animal system. There is also the possibility that some of the effects are due to the
synergistic effects of two or more components present in the velvet antler. The whole
area, though clearly one of considerable complexity, is likely to be very rewarding.
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