Effects of age and sex on bone density in the rhesus monkey

doi:10.1016/8756-3282(89)90007-0

Bone

Volume 10, Issue 2, 1989, Pages 109-112

https://doi.org/10.1016/8756-3282(89)90007-0 Get rights and content

Abstract

Normative data for bone density of cortical and trabecular bone in the rhesus monkeys is described in the present study. Changes of bone density (g/cm²) for the humerus, the third lumbar vertebra, and the eighth caudal vertebra of the rhesus monkey show differences due to age and sex of the subjects (males n = 57; females n = 49). In general, bone density increased with age and then reached a plateau at approximately 3 to 4 years in all bones measured. In the humerus, older females (> 30 years) had a significantly lower bone density than females of 4 to 24 years, while bone density in older males did not decrease. In the vertebrae, some evidence of advanced age-related decreases in bone density was found in both sexes. These results indicate that the rhesus monkey shows a natural pattern of change in bone mineralization which parallels that seen in humans. The physiological similarity between the rhesus monkey and human further suggests a potential role for this species in the future investigation of osteoporosis.

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Original articleEffects of age and sex on bone density in the rhesus monkey

Abstract

Aging in the musculoskeletal system of rhesus monkeys: III. Bone loss

Am. J. Phys. Anthropol.

On aging bone loss

Clin. Orthop.

Original article
Effects of age and sex on bone density in the rhesus monkey