Trabecular bone morphometry in beagles with chronic renal failure

Abstract

A morphometric study was performed on undecalcified sections of trabecular bone from the ribs of adult dogs that were controls (n=8), or had various degrees of renal failure as a result of perinatal irradiation (n=16). In a group identified as markedly uremic there was an increase in the proportion of surface with osteoid seams (PPPP<0.01). Aside from a decrease in the % trabecular bone which was of unclear significance, the results agree well with those of similar studies in man. Within this group, 6 of the samples had a histologic pattern that was principally that of hyperparathyroidism and in the remaining 2 there was evidence of a mineralization defect and osteomalacic changes. These 2 dogs had the poorest renal function and one that had been biopsied 5 months earlier, when its renal function was less impaired, had had a hyperparathyroid pattern.