Bone metabolism and repair are normal in athymic rats

Several reports indicate that the thymus gland is important in the regulation of bone metabolism. Anatomic or physiologic abnormalities in the bones of athymic animals could therefore be expected. The mechanical properties, circulation, and mineralization rate of intact femora, tibiae, ossa ilia, and of an osteotomized tibia of athymic Lewis rats were compared with those of normal Lewis rats. The results were not significantly different in the two groups. The absence of the thymus thus does not seem to have any major influence on bone structure, function, or regenerative properties.