[Quantitative morphological analysis of bone remodelling in an experimentally-induced skeletal disease (author's...

In the lumbar vertebrae of lathyritic rats bone remodelling was investigated using histomorphometrical and tetracycline labelling methods and a newly developed, computer-aided photometrical quantitation of mineral densities in microradiographs. The morphometrical analysis showed a high-graded decrease in cancellous bone due to increased resorption and cessation of endochondral bone formation. On the other hand, increased formation of new bone in sites of muscular insertion led to the formation of exostoses. Disturbed mineralisation of the newly-formed bone is indicated by increased osteoid volume and diffuse labelling with tetracycline. These findings were confirmed by the quantitation of the mineral densities. The mineralisation defect is related to the disturbed collagen synthesis in lathyrism.