Serial DXA Bone and Soft Tissue Estimations in Growing Sheep.

Objectives: We aimed to establish the typical rate of skeletal mineralisation in the growing sheep. The sheep (size, ease of handling, cost and bone physiology) is establishing itself as an appropriate model for bone research. Materials and Methods: Body composition including bone density at 4 time points in the first two years was performed using DXA on a cohort of 14 developing lambs, as well as measurements in comparable adult sheep. Results: Adult levels of bone density are reached by 18 months and lean body mass by 2 years in sheep. Conclusions: Depending on the indications for studying bone and other metabolism in sheep, the rate of development should be considered in selecting the age group of experimental animals.