Age-related bone loss in lumbar vertebrae of CW-1 female mice: a histomorphometric study.

Age-related changes in vertebral cortical and trabecular bone were quantitated in female CW-1 mice. Histomorphometric measurements involved the use of two different systems of image analysis: Olympus Cue 2 and Zeiss Morphomat 10. The peak of bone mass, both cortical and trabecular, was found in mice aged 13.5 months. Thereafter, there was a progressive decline in the area occupied by bone tissue and this became highly significant in elderly female and male mice. A loss of about 60% of bone tissue was encountered in both the trabecular and cortical bone, as determined by automated image analysis system. Hence, aging CW-1 mice reveal structural features consistent with vertebral osteopenia. Despite the fact that to date we lack the precise etiology for the above-mentioned phenomenon, it is suggested that the laboratory mouse might serve as an appropriate experimental model for investigations related to age-related bone loss.