Objective. Technically primates and dogs represent ideal models to investigate diseases characterized by abnormal intracortical\nremodeling.High expenses and ethical issues, however, restrict the use of those animals in research. Rodentmodels have been used\nas alternatives instead, but their value is limited, if none, because these animals lack intracortical bone remodeling. This study aimed\nat investigating the effect of ovariectomy onto the stimulation of intracortical remodeling in rat mandibles. Materials and Methods.\nSixteen 12-week-old Spraque-Dawly (SD) female rats were randomly assigned into two groups, receiving either ovariectomy or\nsham operation. All the rats were sacrificed 18 weeks postoperatively. The entire mandibles were harvested for microcomputed\ntomography (micro-CT) and histomorphometric assessments. Results.Micro-CT examination showed significantly decreased bone\nmineral density (0.95 �± 0.01 versus 1.01 �± 0.02 g/cm3, P < 0.001) and bone volume (65.78 �± 5.45 versus 87.41 �± 4.12%, P < 0.001)\nin ovariectomy group. Histomorphometric assessment detected a sixfold increased intracortical bone remodeling as well as an\nincreased bone modeling in mandibles of ovariectomized rats. Conclusion. For the first time, to the authorsâ�� knowledge, it was\ndetected that ovariectomy stimulates intracortical remodeling in rat mandibles. This animal model might be of use to study various\nbone diseases associated with an abnormal intracortical remodeling process.
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