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Bone mass in female cynomolgus macaques: A cross-sectional and longitudinal study by age

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Abstract

A cross-sectional study by age was designed to evaluate and describe the bone mineral content (BMC, g) and density (BMD, g/cm2) in a population of female cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis). Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure, in segments L2-L4 of the lumbar spine, the BMC (BMCs), BMD (BMDs), length, and total-body BMC (BMCTB) in 171 female monkeys ranging in age between 3.7 and 22.0 years. The animals were divided into three age groups: (1) young (<6.5 years, n=51); (2) adult (>6.5 years and <10.5 years, n=63); and (3) mature (>10.5 years, n=57). Young animals had a significantly lower (P<0.05) body weight and shorter trunk length than adult or mature animals. Young animals also had significantly less (P<0.05) BMCS, BMDS, and BMCTB than adult or mature animals, and had significantly shorter (P<0.05) lumbar spine vertebral segments than the other two groups. Longitudinally, 63 animals had repeated lumbar spine scans to examine changes over time. Young animals showed a positive and significant change (P<0.05) in BMCS and BMDS through time, whereas these parameters did not change in adult animals, and mature animals had a trend towards bone loss through time. Densitometric results suggested that peak bone mass in the lumbar spine was achieved by 9 years of age. Radiographic and dental criteria were developed to identify animals that had reached peak bone mass, and the combined radiographic and dental scoring system reliably identified animals 9 years and older. Female cynomolgus macaques 9 years old or older are recommended for investigations of bone remodeling and associated conditions, such as osteoporosis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Comparative Medicine Clinical Research Center, Bowman Gray School of Medicine of Wake Forest University, Medical Center Blvd., 27157-1040, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA

    M. J. Jayo, C. P. Jerome, C. J. Lees, S. E. Rankin & D. S. Weaver

  2. Department of Anthropology, Wake Forest University, 27109, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA

    D. S. Weaver

Authors
  1. M. J. Jayo
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  2. C. P. Jerome
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  3. C. J. Lees
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  4. S. E. Rankin
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  5. D. S. Weaver
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Jayo, M.J., Jerome, C.P., Lees, C.J. et al. Bone mass in female cynomolgus macaques: A cross-sectional and longitudinal study by age. Calcif Tissue Int 54, 231–236 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00301684

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00301684

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