| Abstract: | Bipedal rats were produced by clipping their
forclimbs and tails within one week of birth. By
using light microscope (LM), scanning electron
microscope (SEM) and transmission electron micros
cope (TEM), the articular cartilaginous layer of the
superior circular portion of the femoral heads was
examined at 3 and 6 months of age, and compared
with that of the quadruped rats. In the normal
controls, normal morphology of the articular car
tilage and the subchondral bone was seen in most of
the femoral head specimens. In the bipedal rats,
proliferation of the subchondral bone, thinning of
the articular surface and pseudomucinous cyst forma-
tion in the cartilaginous matrix were seen. TEM
and SEM observations demonstrated changes in ac-
cord with the findings of LM. Bipedal rats are
animal models suitable for the study of medical
agents which might retard or reverse cartilage dege-
neration in osteoarthritis. |
