Structure and mineral content in weight-bearing bones following hindlimb suspension in young rats.

Responses of structure and mineral content in weight-bearing bones to 1-week hindlimb suspension were studied in growing rats. The weight, volume, and length of femur, tibia, and fibula were less in suspended rats than cage controls, although there was no significant difference in the weight/volume ratio. The diameter of mid-shaft, the thickness of cortical bone, and the ratio of cortical bone thickness to femur diameter were significantly less in the suspended rats. The width of marrow space showed no differences, suggesting that the cortical bone was mainly affected. The sum of mineral content and the mineral content per diameter in the cross section of femurs were decreased following suspension, suggesting a change in the internal structure of cortical bone. Data also indicated that the reduction of femur diameter was caused by decreased thickness which is accompanied by the decreased mineral content of the cortical bone. It was suggested that there is a close relationship between the responses of bones and muscles to hindlimb suspension of young rats, although the degree of weight loss was greater in muscles than in bones.