The effect of supplemental copper on osteopenia induced by ovariectomy in rats

Objective: The effect of a copper supplement on preventing bone mass loss i nduced by ovariectomy in rats was investigated. Design: Three groups of fifteen fifteen 100-day-old female Wistar rats, eac h with a mean initial weight of similar to 260 g per animal, were selected for a 30-day experiment. One group of 15 ovariectomized rats was fed a diet supplemented with 15 mg of copper per kilogram of feed. The other two grou ps: 15 ovariectomized and 15 Sham- ovariectomized rats did not receive the supplement. Morphometric (weight and length) and densitometric studies with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry were performed on the whole femur and the fifth lumbar vertebra of each animal at the end of the 30-day period. Results: The ovariectomized rat group fed a diet supplemented with copper d id not show the bone mass loss at the axial (fifth lumbar vertebra) or peri pheral (femur) level that was evidenced in the ovariectomized group. Conclusions: The results of the measurement of axial and peripheral bones s how that a supplement of copper may have a potential therapeutic applicatio n in the treatment and prevention of involutional osteoporosis.