Changes in bone structure of Corriedale sheep with inherited rickets: a peripheral quantitative computed tomography assessment.
An inherited skeletal disease with gross and microscopic features of rickets has been diagnosed in Corriedale sheep in New Zealand. The aim of this study was to quantify the changes present in tibia from sheep with inherited rickets using peripheral quantitative computed tomography. In affected sheep, scans in the proximal tibia, where metaphysis becomes diaphysis, showed significantly greater trabecular bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD). The sheep with inherited rickets had significantly greater BMC and bone area in the mid-diaphysis of the proximal tibia compared to control sheep. However, BMD in the mid-diaphysis was significantly less in affected sheep than in controls, due to the greater cortical area and lower voxel density values in affected sheep. From this it was concluded that the increased strain on under-mineralised bone in sheep with inherited rickets led to increased bone mass in an attempt to improve bone strength.
Dittmer
Keren E
KE
Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. K.E.Dittmer@massey.ac.nz
Firth
Elwyn C
EC
Thompson
Keith G
KG
Marshall
Jonathan C
JC
Blair
Hugh T
HT
D000818:Animals; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018483:Diaphyses / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D012279:Rickets / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013977:Tibia / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000662:veterinary