Assessment of experimental osteoporosis using CT-scanning, quantitative X-ray analysis and impact test in calcium deficient ovariectomized rats

INTRODUCTION: Osteoporosis is a major health problem in the elderly population particularly in postmenopausal women. Various techniques are currently available for detection and diagnosis of osteoporosis in humans, but not all of these can be used for evaluation of osteoporosis in animals. We assessed the feasibility and applicability of a spiral CT-scanning technique for use in evaluating bone loss in rats. In addition, we also tested the applicability of dispersive quantitative X-ray analysis (QXRA) coupled with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and impact test to detect bone mineral content and biomechanical strength, respectively. METHODS: Twenty female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to sham operated or bilaterally ovariectomized groups and fed with a calcium-deficient diet for 16 weeks. Femurs and tibias were collected at termination. Using a spiral CT-scanner various cortical bone morphometric indices were measured in femurs. SEM-QXRA was used to quantify the calcium to phosphorus ratio (Ca:P) in regions of high bone turnover both in sham and CD-OVX rats. Tibias were subjected to the impact test for evaluation of biomechanical strength. RESULTS: Compared to sham operated rats, the CD-OVX animals had decreased combined cortical thickness (CCT), cortical area (CA), cortical area/periosteal area and radial density (RD), with increased medullary width and cross sectional areas as determined by CT-Scanning technique. SEM-QXR analysis indicates a decreased Ca:P ratio in the metaphyseal regions of distal femurs in CD-OVX rats when compared to sham-operated rats. The results of the impact test demonstrate lower threshold energy in tibias of CD-OVX rats compared to sham operated rats. DISCUSSION: The ability of these techniques to distinguish the bone characteristics of sham-operated rats from CD-OVX rats provides a methodological opportunity to assess osteoporosis in small animals like rats.