A quantitative histologic study of bone turnover in young adult beagles.

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AbstractThirty‐six regions of trabecular bone from two 18‐month‐old beagles and transilial biopsies of 25 female beagles aged 28–52 months were studied following in vivo double tetracycline labeling. Turnover rate varied from about 20% per year to 200% per year among the 36 regions. It was highest in the vertebral bodies and the proximal humerus, and lowest in the proximal ulna and foot‐bones. The mineral apposition rate varied from 0.35 to 1.02 μm/day, with a mean of about 0.7 μm/day, tending to be lower in areas of lower turnover. The specific surface varied from 10.9 to 23.8 mm/mm2 with a mean of 17.5 mm/mm2, tending to be higher in areas of high turnover. Specific surface varied only about twofold around the skeleton, while turnover varied by one order of magnitude. The average annual turnover rate for all trabecular bone in the young adult beagle is estimated at 140% per year. The accuracy of this estimate would be improved by knowing the exact mass of trabecular bone at each site.The annual turnover rate in the ilium of 25 female beagles was 134 ± 94% per year. The iliac trabecular bone turnover rate is two to three times faster in young adult female beagles than in young adult female humans. Using a human to beagle ratio of 1:2.5, the average annual turnover rate for all trabecular bone in the young adult human could be estimated at 40–55% per year. The beagle may be an appropriate model for certain experiments involving the adult bone remodeling system, because it may show a quicker response than humans to various experimental conditions and drugs, due to its faster turnover rate.