eCM (Eur Cell Mater / e Cells & Materials) eCM Open Access Scientific Journal
 ISSN:1473-2262         NLM:100973416 (link)         DOI:10.22203/eCM

2001   Volume No 1 - pages 43-51

Title: Precision of high-resolution dual energy x-ray absorptiometry of bone mineral status and body composition in small animal models.

Authors: E.-M. Lochmueller, V. Jung, A. Weusten, U. Wehr, E. Wolf and F. Eckstein

Address: Universitaetsfrauenklinik, Innenstadt, Musculoskeletal Research Group, Anatomische Anstalt,
and Institut fuer Physiologie, Physiologische Chemie und Tierernaehrung,
and Institut fuer Molekulare Tierzucht und Haustiergenetik, Genzentrum,
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universiteat Muenchen, Germany

E-mail: eckstein at anat.med.uni-muenchen.de

Key Words: Small animals, mouse, rat, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, bone, fat, bone mineral, precision.

Publication date: 20th January 2001

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to analyze the in situ precision (reproducibility) of bone mineral and body composition measurements in mice of different body weights and rats, using a high-resolution DXA (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) scanner. We examined 48 NMRI mice weighing approximately 10 to 60 g, and 10 rats weighing approximately 140 g. Four repeated measurements were obtained on different days. In mice, the standard deviations of repeated measurements ranged from 2.5 to 242 mg for bone mineral content (BMC), from 0.16 to 3.74 g for fat, and from 0.40 to 4.21 g for lean mass. The coefficient of variation in percent (CV%) for BMC/BMD (bone mineral density) was highest in the 10 g mice (12.8% / 4.9%) and lowest in the 40 g mice (3.5% /1.7%). In rats, it was 2.5 /1.2% in the lower extremity, 7.1/3.0 % in the spine, 5.7/2.0 % in the femur, and 3.6%/2.1% in the tibia. The CV% for fat and lean mass in mice was higher than for BMC. The study demonstrates good precision of bone mineral and moderate precision of body composition measure-ments in small animals, using a high-resolution DXA system. The technique can be used for testing the efficacy of drugs in small animal models, for muta-genesis screens, and for the phenotypic characterization of transgenic mice.

Article download: Pages 43-51 (PDF file)
DOI: 10.22203/eCM.v001a05