Bone mineral density in mandibles of ovariectomized rabbits.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between loss of ovarian function and bone mineral density changes in the mandibles of ovariectomized rabbits using peripheral quantitative computed tomography. Twenty-four adult female Japanese white rabbits were used in this experiment. The mandibular incisors were initially extracted to create implant bone. Twelve animals were bilaterally ovariectomized and the other twelve sham-ovariectomized 12 weeks after tooth extraction. All rabbits were sacrificed at 4 and 12 weeks after ovariectomy and sham-ovariectomy, with 6 rabbits in each of the four resultant groups. The edentulous parts of distal mandibular bodies were measured by peripheral quantitative computed tomography. There were significant decreases in total bone mineral density and trabecular bone mineral density in the mandibles of rabbits at 12 weeks post-ovariectomy. The results demonstrate the mineralized bone loss in the mandibles of ovariectomized rabbits.