Effects of retinoic acid on rat bone.

The effects of retinoic acid on rat bones were investigated. Fifteen adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were given various oral doses of retinoic acid (0-20 mg/kg body weight/day, 5 days/wk) and were killed after various treatment periods (1-17 wk). Histological and microradiographic examination of the bones showed the presence of lesions, the development of which was dependent on the dose and the duration of treatment. These lesions were characterized by a dissolution of bone matrix, leaving only fibrils, by osteocytic osteolysis and by an increase in osteoclastic resorption.