ANIMAL-MODELS FOR POSTMENOPAUSAL OSTEOPOR OSIS

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass, microarchite ctural deterioration of bone tissue leading to enhanced bone fragility , and a consequent increase in fracture risk. In humans estrogen defic iency following menopause is associated with a more or less intense os teopenia. In some subjects, such a decrease in bone mass induces osteo porosis. Several animal models (ovariectomized female dogs, pigs and m onkeys) are used to study the etiology, prophylaxis and treatment for osteoporosis. Nevertheless, the changes in bone metabolism following e strogen deficiency are very similar in rats and humans. Thus, the ovar iectomized rat is the most frequently used model for such studies.