Hairlessness does not influence growth retardation in nude mice. Computer image analysis study.
Ossification in 4-week-old nu/nu and nu/+ BALB/c and BFU mice was studied by X-ray analysis and by measurement of the thickness of the proximal tibial growth cartilage using CUE 4 Olympus computer image analysis. Not only altered architecture but also a significantly thinner proximal tibial growth plate was observed in athymic nu/nu as opposed to nu/+ and BFU mice. On the other hand, no significant differences were found between nu/+ and BFU littermates. Higher X-ray density of tail vertebrae was observed in nu/+ and BFU than in nu/nu mice. This comparison between athymic nu/nu and hairless euthymic BFU mice indicates that altered postnatal ossification in nude mice is not caused by hairlessness, but is due to other (immunological or endocrinological) differences.
Funda
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Department of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Praha.
Smetana
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K
Holub
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M
Sýkora
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V
D000818:Animals; D015519:Bone Density; D001846:Bone Development; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D006132:Growth Plate / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006579:Heterozygote; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D051379:Mice; D008812:Mice, Hairless / Q000254:growth & development*; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude / Q000254:growth & development*; D010012:Osteogenesis; D011859:Radiography; D013623:Tail / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013977:Tibia / Q000648:ultrastructure