The Periodontium H.E. Schroeder Volume V/5 of the series “Handbook of Microscopic Anatomy” — Continuation of Handbuch der mikroskopischen Anatomie des Menschen 1986 Springer-Verlag Berlin-Heidelberg-New York-Tokyo With technical assistance of M. Amstad-Jossi, R. Kröni, W. Scherle. founded by W. von Möllendorff, continued by W. Bargmann ed. by A. Oksche and L. Vollrath.) 418 pp., with 127 figs., DM 520,–, ISBN:

Abstract

In a previous study we showed that mandibular alveolar (trabecular) bone appears to be less sensitive to estrogen deficiency than the proximal tibia spongiosa. We hypothesized that the mechanical loading of the alveolar process during mastication may protect the alveolar bone from the detrimental effects observed in other skeletal sites. To test this hypothesis we compared the effect of ovariectomy on the mandibular alveolar bone and the proximal tibia spongiosa of rats fed either a normal (hard) or a soft diet.Forty six-month-old female Sprague–Dawley rats underwent trans-abdominal ovariectomy (OVX) or sham operation (SHAM). Half of the animals received their food in the usual form of pellets (hard consistency), while the other half received a soft, porridge-like, isocaloric diet of identical composition (soft consistency). Micro-computed tomographic histomorphometry was used to evaluate the trabecular micro-architecture. A two-factor analysis of variance was used to test for effects and interaction of ovariectomy and/or soft diet.OVX had a significantly negative effect on the proximal tibia spongiosa (all parameters under study except trabecular thickness; p<0.001) and on the mandibular alveolar bone (trabecular number and spacing; p<0.05). Soft diet led to a further decrease of mandibular BV/TV (p<0.01), trabecular thickness (p<0.05) and number (p<0.05), as well as increase of separation (p<0.001). A significant interaction was observed between OVX and soft diet concerning the mandibular BV/TV, as well as trabecular thickness and spacing (p<0.05).Normal (hard) diet limited significantly the negative effects of estrogen deficiency on mandibular alveolar bone micro-architecture four months after ovariectomy.