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Considered an alternative to steroids with little risk of failed test


It seems humorous at first, but this deer's horns contain a substance that reportedly can duplicate the effects of steroids when used in a spray under the tongue. (Associated Press file)
Baseball players in both the major and minor leagues have been warned to stop ingesting deer-antler spray, according to a story first reported by Sports Illustrated and confirmed by the New York Times.
Deer-antler spray includes "potentially contaminated nutritional supplements" and has been added to MLB's list of cautionary substances.
The warning is about a particular brand of deer-antler spray.
Until last week when the league issued its warning, players had apparently felt safe using the spray, administered under the tongue, as an alternative to steroids with little risk of failing a drug test.
Velvet from immature deer antlers, ground up and used in the spray, contains IGF-1, an insulin-like growth factor with "muscle-building" and "fat-cutting" effects.
IGF-1 is considered a performance-enhancer because it mediates human growth hormone levels in the body, but is not detectable by a urine test.
The players' association and the league have not agreed on blood testing, but under the right circumstances, SI.com reports, the chemical could be discoverable.
According to reports issued by the drug-testing industry, deer-antler spray can lead players to test positive for methyltestosterone, a chemical not listed as an ingredient.
Methyltestosterone is banned by both major and minor league drug policies and the World Doping Agency. It is used clinically to treat men with testosterone deficiency and women with breast cancer or symptoms related to menopause.
The spray had been endorsed by NFL players until recently, and its manufacturers claim it boosts "anabolic or growth stimulation," "athletic performance" and "muscular strength and endurance."

TweetA bottle sells for 60.00 plus shipping on their site. A bit high maybe. I sell for 55.00 at the store. Recovery rate is the big thing. I wasn't getting sore in the gym and I just wasn't recovering. Didn't change my workout and 3-4 days into it I was sore as shit. Everyone using it that I get to speak to has said the same thing. So new muscle growth and new cells would be the biggest factors. I just wish it was cheaper. I am on my 2nd bottle.