title: The Change of Bone Metabolism in Ovariectomized Rats : Analyses of MicroCT Scan and Biochemical Markers of Bone Turnover.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to verify the appropriateness of ovariectomized rats as the osteoporosis animal model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve female Sprague-Dawley rats underwent a sham operation (the sham group) or bilateral ovariectomy [the ovariectomy (OVX) group]. Eight weeks after operations, serum biochemical markers of bone turnover were analyzed; osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase, which are sensitive biochemical markers of bone formation, and C-terminal telopeptide fragment of type I collagen C-terminus (CTX), which is a sensitive biochemical marker of bone resorption. Bone histomorphometric parameters and microarchitectural properties of 4th lumbar vertebrae were determined by micro-computed tomographic (CT) scan.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The OVX group showed on average 75.4% higher osteocalcin and 72.5% higher CTX levels than the sham group, indicating increased bone turnover. Micro-CT analysis showed significantly lower bone mineral density (BMD) (p=0.005) and cortical BMD (p=0.021) in the OVX group. Furthermore, the OVX group was found to have a significantly lower trabecular bone volume fraction (p=0.002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results showed that bone turnover was significantly increased and bone mass was significantly decreased 8 weeks after ovariectomy in rats. Thus, we propose that the ovariectomized rat model be considered a reproducible and reliable model of osteoporosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Daegu Veterans Hospital, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung-Hyuk
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Dae-Chul
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Song-Hee
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Kyoung-Tae
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Younghoon
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.forename: Joo-Kyung
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Sung