Bone Abstracts

The aim of this study was to determine morphological and densitometric parameters of mandible obtained from male and female silver foxes (Vulpes vulpes). The study was performed on 1-year-old males (n=7) and females (n=8). Mandible was isolated and subjected to morphological and densitometric analysis using quantitative computed tomography (QCT) method and Somatom Emotion Siemens apparatus (Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) equipped with Somaris/5 VB10B software. Total bone volume (Bvol), volumetric bone mineral density of cortical bone (Cd), mean volumetric bone mineral density (MvBMD) and cortical bone area (CBA) of left and right parts of mandible were determined. The values of Cd and CBA were measured on the same cross-sectional scan of left and right mandible body positioned just after the last molar tooth. Volume evaluation package was used to determine total bone volume (Bvol) and mean volumetric bone mineral density (MvBMD) of each mandible part. Statistical comparison of the investigated parameters of mandible between males and females, as well as between left and right parts of mandible was performed with a use of non-paired Student t-test and P<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Total bone volume of mandible was significantly higher in males than in females by 19.6% (P=0.0003). Cortical bone area of mandible shown clear tendency to be higher in males (55.83±1.09 mm²) than in females (51.19±2.06 mm²; P=0.067). Neither MvBMD nor Cd were significantly different between males and females (P>0.05).

In conclusion, this study has shown sex-related differences of Bvol and CBA of mandible in one-year-old silver foxes. This study provided also basic data on densitometric and morphological properties of mandible in silver foxes. Elaborated experimental model may serve for further studies (as an alternative for studies on dogs) on bone metabolism regulation in mammals with a use of physiological, environmental, pharmacological, nutritional and toxicological factors.