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Compact bone makes up approximately 80% of the human skeleton by mass; but there are little data available on the effects of increased bone turnover on compact bone mechanical and material properties. This study addresses this question by measuring intracortical remodeling, resorption cavity number, and porosity in an ovariectomized (OVX) sheep model, and measures changes in biomechanical properties. Thirty-eight sheep were divided into two groups. Group 1 were controls (n ¼ 19), and Group 2 were ovariectomized (OVX; n ¼ 19). Fluorochrome dyes were administered intravenously to both groups at five time points over 12 months post-OVX to label sites of bone turnover. At 12 months post-OVX all animals were euthanized. Samples were harvested from the left metatarsal and were analyzed for intracortical bone turnover at five time points, the number of resorption cavities, and the level of intracortical porosity. The effects of these parameters on bone biomechanical properties were then measured. Bone turnover was increased in the OVX group at 6, 9, and 12 months (p < 0.05). Resorption was also higher in the OVX group at 12 months (p < 0.05). Furthermore, porosity was significantly increased in the OVX group at 12 months (p < 0.05). Stiffness and yield strength were reduced in the OVX group compared to controls (p ¼ 0.05). Ultimate compressive strength and work to fracture did not differ between groups. These findings provide new insights into the mechanisms and effects of increased bone turnover on bone material and microstructural properties. Keywords: bone turnover; porosity; ovariectomy; ovine animal model Bone turnover is an important determinant of the structural integrity of bone. It is a crucial process of tissue renewal that normally occurs at an optimal physiological rate for maximum bone strength in a healthy individual. 1 Any change to the optimal bone turnover rate, such as the increase that occurs following ovariectomy (OVX) or menopause, has the potential to dramatically change the bone at microstructural and material levels. High bone turnover can have the effect of increasing remodeling spaces, accelerating bone loss, increasing stress concentrations, and increasing cortical porosity, each of which can undermine bone mechanical properties. A precise definition of bone quality remains elusive, however; bone turnover and microarchitecture are considered to be two important contributors to this phenomenon along with mineralization, microdamage, and collagen content. Thus, these parameters are important considerations in the pathophysiology of skeletal diseases such as osteoporosis and the mechanisms that underlie fracture. 2 Previous studies have shown that bone turnover has a direct influence on fracture risk. 3 It is thought that compact bone is affected by accelerated turnover in two ways. First, more mineralized bone is removed and replaced with younger, less mineralized bone, which reduces the material's local stiffness. Second, the presence of more resorption cavities creates stress concen...

Ovariectomized (OVX) sheep are now considered to be useful models for a variety of metabolic bone disorders. The specific aim of this study was to determine the effects of ovariectomy on the structural parameters and material density of the subchondral bone of the ovine tibial plateau as measured by microcomputed tomography (MicroCT). Twenty-three sheep were examined in this study; 10 of the sheep underwent ovariectomy (OVX), and the remainder (n = 13) were kept as controls (CON). These animals were then sacrificed at 12 months post-operatively. Three-dimensional analyses were performed of osteochondral samples (15 mm deep) which were obtained from the medial tibial plateau using MicroCT. Bone volume fraction of the subchondral trabecular bone was reduced in the ovariectomized sheep as compared to control animals (0.439 vs. 0.483, P = 0.038). Trabeculae were also significantly thinner in the OVX group (0.220 vs. 0.252 mm, P = 0.010), with reduced connectivity density (7.947 vs. 11.524 mm )3, P = 0.014). There was a trend towards lower numbers of individual trabeculae present in the OVX group as compared to controls, but this did not reach significance (2.817 vs. 3.288 mm )1 , P = 0.1). There was also increased trabecular separation in the OVX group, which again fell short of significance (0.426 vs. 0.387 mm, P = 0.251). There was no difference in hydroxyapatite concentration (HA) between the two groups (929 vs. 932 mgHA cm )3, P = 0.687). In conclusion, significant alterations of the trabecular architecture under the tibial plateau were observed following 12 months of oestrogen-deficiency in this ovine model. Despite these marked morphological and structural density differences, the material densities were equal in the two groups.

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