Is the Castrated Female Rat a Model of Osteoporosis?

Abstract

In the last years some reports were published dealing with an experimental model of osteoporosis in the female rat by ovariectomy (Aitken et al. 1972, Barzel 1975, Bernick 1970, Faugere et al. 1986, Gurkan et al. 1986, Hodkinson et al. 1978, Lindgren and Lindholm 1979, Orimo et al. 1972, Pohlman et al. 1985, Saville 1969, Schulz et al. 1973, Wronski et al. 1985). But all these experiments were performed under variable conditions, so that their different results are only comparable to a limited extent. In the experiments the animals were of different age (between 21 days and 50 weeks) and for that reason had also a different body weight (70 g–310 g). The observation period after the ovariectomy fluctuated between 5 and 52 weeks. Furthermore, their diets contained different amounts of calcium and phosphorus. Finally, the result of the experimentally produced osteoporosis was based on different investigations of the bone like radiological measurements, determination of the volume and the density, analysis of mineral content, measurement of strength, histological, histochemical and histomorphometrical investigations, and chemical analysis of blood and urine.