BONE REMODELING RATES - A TEST OF AN ALGORITHM FOR ESTIMATING MISSINGOSTEONS

Frost (1987a) proposed an algorithm for estimating the number of missi ng osteons that correspond to observed osteon population densities (OP D). Such an algorithm should allow more accurate estimates of bone rem odeling rates for skeletal remains for which in vivo labeling is not p ossible. In order to validate the algorithm, it was tested on an autop sy sample of 44 ribs. Estimates of activation frequency (<(mu)over bar >(RC)) and bone remodeling rate (V-f,V-r,V-t) using the new algorithm are in reasonable agreement with age-matched tetracycline-based values . Although mean values for activation frequencies (<(mu)over bar>)(RC) and bone formation rate (V-f,V-r,V-t) generated by the algorithm were generally lower, they fell below 1 standard error for only an age cat egory that included all ages above the 5th decade. It is now appropria te to apply the algorithm to archaeological skeletal remains. (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.