The effect of chronic heparin administration on the mineralization of an experimental osseous defect.

Adult roosters with experimental circular osteotomy defects in the metatarsus were placed on chronic heparin therapy. In vivo measurement of bone mineral content changes of the osteotomy using Iodine-125 show no adverse affect of heparin treatment on remineralization. However, the weight of dry-defatted femurs was decreased and suggests that there was significant heparin-induced systemic bone demineralization.