Effects of hibernation on interradicular alveolar bone.
The interradicular alveolar bones of the nonhibernating and hibernating ground squirrels were compared using light and transmission electron microscopy. During hibernation changes occurring in the bone suggest osteocytic osteolysis. Minerals may be mobilized from bone for utilization elsewhere in the body to maintain a minimal metabolic level for survival.
D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D000818:Animals; D006605:Hibernation; D008334:Mandible / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009940:Organoids / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010011:Osteocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010014:Osteolysis / Q000473:pathology; D012589:Sciuridae