Effect of ovariectomy on bone histology and plasma parameters of bone metabolism in nulliparous and multiparous sows

To investigate the suitability of the pig as animal model for postmenopausal osteoporosis, effects of ovariectomy (OVX) on bone metabolism and histology were studied in two groups of sows (9 months, nulliparous or 35 months, multiparous). A standard diet of about 1.5 % calcium (Ca) was fed till sacrifice at either 12 or 20 months post OVX when mineral content and histology were studied in representative bone specimens of proximal tibia, iliac crest and lumbar vertebrae. At 4, 8, 12, and 18 months post OVX, total and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (AP(t), AP(b)) calcidiol, calcitriol and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were measured in plasma. In young sows OVX did not significantly affect plasma variables except for calcitriol, which was higher at 4 months post OVX. No significant differences between OVX or control animals were observed in the variables of bone chemical and histological analyses, neither 12 nor 20 months post OVX. In multiparous sows OVX significantly increased PTH plasma concentrations at 8 months post OVX and plasma calcitriol, AP(t) and AP(b) at 12 months post OVX. All effects were moderate and transient. OVX did not significantly affect the variables of bone chemical and histological analyses neither 12 nor 20 months post OVX. Although undoubtedly the clinical-chemical changes observed were not accompanied by any histomorphometric signs of osteopenia/osteoporosis, it must be left to future experiments as to whether this resulted from the ample calcium supply provided. This possibility is supported by recent observations showing that porcine osteopenia could be induced by OVX in animals maintained on only 0.75 % dietary calcium but not on higher (0.9 %) Ca regimens (33).