EFFECTS OF ZINC DEFICIENCY ON BONE HISTOMORPHOMETRIC PARAMETERS OF RATS / 营养学报

ABSTRACT

Objective:To study the effects of zinc deficiency on bone histomorphometric parameters of femoral distal diaphysis in rats. Methods:Thirty Wistar rats were randomly allocated into three groupsthe zinc-deficient group(ZD), the control group(Cont),and the pair-fed group(ZP). After the rats had been fed for eight weeks, the histomorphometric and dynamic parameters of the rats were analysed using bone histomorphometric method. Results:The number, volume and connectivity of trabecular bone, and the mean trabecular plate density of ZD rats were significantly decreased, but their mean trabecular plate space was significantly increased. In addition, the data showed that ZD animals had significantly decreased trabecular osteoid surface, reduced velocity of bone formation as compared with Cont and ZP animals. The results showed that in ZD rats the mineral deposit rate was significantly slow, while the mineralization lag and osteoid maturation period were obviously prolonged. Conclusion: Zinc deficiency reduces velocity of bone formation and prolongs bone mineralization and destroys bone structure.