[Quantitative evaluation of bone mineral density of rat femur by using DEXA (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry)]

BMD of rats was measured by using a collimator for small animals and HRSM-1 (high resolution scan module). There was a good correlation between obtained BMD and the known mineral content of hydroxyapatite phantoms. The presence of soft tissue and the positioning of bone did not affect BMD and BMC. There was also a good correlation between BMC and the total calcium by chemical analysis. This study confirmed high precision and accuracy of the rat femur BMD measurement.