title: Effect of ovariectomy upon weaning on the morphometric parameters of femorae and tibiae of growing rats.
abstract: To assess the effects of early ovariectomy on whole bone density and several morphometric and serum markers of bone metabolism, female Wistar rats were ovariectomized or sham-operated upon weaning. The animals were fed ad libitum. After 8 weeks, the increase in the weight gains of ovariectomized rats was minute when compared with the control animals. The whole bone densities of the femorae of ovariectomized rats were slightly reduced when compared with the sham-operated animals. The proximal cross section of the femorae of the ovariectomized rats exhibited enhanced periosteal bone apposition and increased cortical area when compared with the sham-operated animals, but the differences were not statistically significant. The cancellous bone of the femora and the proportional areas of trabeculae of the proximal tibia were reduced in ovariectomized rats. It is concluded that ovariectomy upon weaning caused a clear tendency toward osteopenia. Cancellous bone was clearly affected after ovariectomy, indicating its relation to gonadal hormone regulation even during growth.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Dentistry, University of Oulu, Finland.
authors.forename: E L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Hietala
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Larmas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015519:Bone Density; D001846:Bone Development; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010052:Ovariectomy; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013977:Tibia / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D014886:Weaning