title: Spontaneous degenerative spinal disease in the laboratory rabbit.
abstract: The spines of 35 rabbits (32 New Zealand white and 3 AC/J), ranging in age from 3 months to 8 1/2 years, were investigated systematically for spontaneous degenerative changes. Three types of lesion were observed. (1) The nucleus pulposus underwent chondroid metaplasia throughout the length of the vertebral column by the age of 2 years. (2) Hydroxyapatite deposition was found in the nucleus pulposus in 12 of 20 animals examined roentgenographically. The lesion occurred principally in the distal thoracic segments and was first observed in 3-month-old rabbits. (3) Spondylosis occurred in each of four macerated spines from animals greater than 24 months old. Portions of the spine spared by disc calcification were affected.
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000830:Animals, Laboratory; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D006882:Hydroxyapatites / Q000032:analysis; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology; D008679:Metaplasia; D011817:Rabbits; D011859:Radiography; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013128:Spinal Osteophytosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D006882:Hydroxyapatites