SHEEP AS AN EXPERIMENTAL MODEL FOR BIOMATERIAL IMPLANT EVALUATION.
OBJECTIVE
Based on a literature review and on our own experience, this study proposes sheep as an experimental model to evaluate the bioactive capacity of bone substitute biomaterials, dental implant systems and orthopedics devices. The literature review covered relevant databases available on the Internet from 1990 until to date, and was supplemented by our own experience.


METHODS
For its resemblance in size and weight to humans, sheep are quite suitable for use as an experimental model. However, information about their utility as an experimental model is limited. The different stages involving sheep experiments were discussed, including the care during breeding and maintenance of the animals obtaining specimens for laboratory processing, and highlighting the unnecessary euthanasia of animals at the end of study, in accordance to the guidelines of the 3Rs Program.


RESULTS
All experiments have been completed without any complications regarding the animals and allowed us to evaluate hypotheses and explain their mechanisms.


CONCLUSIONS
The sheep is an excellent animal model for evaluation of biomaterial for bone regeneration and dental implant osseointegration. From an ethical point of view, one sheep allows for up to 12 implants per animal, permitting to keep them alive at the end of the experiments. Level of Evidence II, Retrospective Study.
. Universidade Federal Fluminense, Faculdade de Odontologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Odontologia, Niterói, RJ, Brazil.
Suelen Cristina
SC
Sartoretto
. Universidade Federal Fluminense, Faculdade de Odontologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Odontologia, Niterói, RJ, Brazil.
Marcelo José
MJ
Uzeda
. Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Santo Antônio de Jesus, BA, Brazil.
Fúlvio Borges
FB
Miguel
. Universidade Federal Fluminense, Faculdade de Odontologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Odontologia, Niterói, RJ, Brazil.
Jhonathan Raphaell
JR
Nascimento
. Universidade Federal Fluminense, Faculdade de Veterinária, Niterói, RJ, Brazil.
Fabio
F
Ascoli
. Universidade Federal Fluminense, Faculdade de Odontologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Odontologia, Niterói, RJ, Brazil.
Mônica Diuana
MD
Calasans-Maia
Animal experimentation; Biocompatible materials; Dental implants; Orthopedic fixation devices.; Sheep