Elk velvet antler (EVA) has a traditional use for promotion of general health. However, evidence of EVA effects at different\r\nlifestages is generally lacking. This paper investigated the effects of long-term maternal dietary EVA supplementation on physical,\r\nreflexological and neurological development of rat offspring. Female Wistar rats were fed standard chow or chow containing 10%\r\nEVA for 90 days prior to mating and throughout pregnancy and lactation. In each dietary group, 56 male and 56 female pups\r\nwere assessed for physical, neuromotor, and reflexologic development postnatally. Among the examined physical developmental\r\nparameters, incisor eruption occurred one day earlier in pups nursing dams receiving EVA. Among neuromotor developmental\r\nparameters, duration of supported and unsupported standing was longer for pups nursing EVA supplemented dams. Acquisition\r\nof neurological reflex parameters (righting reflex, negative geotaxis, cliff avoidance acoustic startle) occurred earlier in pups\r\nnursing dams receiving EVA. Longterm maternal EVA supplementation prior to and during pregnancy and lactation accelerated\r\ncertain physical, reflexologic, and neuromotor developmental milestones and caused no discernible adverse effects on developing\r\noffspring. The potential benefits of maternal EVA supplementation on postnatal development warrants further investigation to\r\ndetermine whether EVA can be endorsed for the promotion of maternal and child health.
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