AJP - Endocrinology and Metabolism, Vol 250, Issue 1 35-E38, Copyright © 1986 by American Physiological Society
Calcitriol corrects bone loss induced by oophorectomy in rats
M. C. Faugere, S. Okamoto, H. F. DeLuca and H. H. Malluche
The effects of calcitriol on histomorphometric parameters of bone
structure, formation, and resorption were evaluated in 21 normal or
oophorectomized rats. Twelve rats were oophorectomized; six of these
received daily subcutaneous injections of 135 pmol of calcitriol for 14 wk
starting 38 wk after oophorectomy. Nine rats were sham operated; five of
these received the same treatment with calcitriol. There were no
differences in serum calcium and phosphorus between sham-operated and
oophorectomized animals and rats with or without calcitriol. Calcitriol
treatment of sham-operated rats produced an increase in cancellous and
cortical bone mass. Oophorectomy resulted in decreased cancellous and
cortical bone mass and in a decreased ratio between mineralized and
nonmineralized bone. There was no difference in bone-osteoclast interface
and osteoid seam width among all groups of rats. Calcitriol corrected, at
least in part, the bone loss in oophorectomized animals, normalized the
ratio between mineralized and nonmineralized bone, and restored mean growth
plate width to normal.
