HISTOMORPHOMETRY OF ILIAC CREST TRABECULAR BONE IN ADULT MALE BABOONSIN CAPTIVITY

Data in the literature on bone histomorphometry in the baboon are scan t. This study provides data from analysis of trabecular bone of the il iac crest of 16 adult male chacma baboons (Papio ursinus) in captivity . Five animals were young adults judging by the presence of growth car tilage in the iliac crest biopsy. Bone volume resembled that in humans , but trabeculae were thinner and more closely spaced. Bone turnover a ppeared somewhat lower than in humans. Coupling of resorption and form ation was excellent as judged by cellular and kinetic variables; erosi on surface was an unreliable indicator of ongoing coupling. The simila rities between human and baboon trabecular bone make the baboon suited for the study of microstructure and bone turnover of trabecular bone with relevance to humans.