Bone growth and remodeling in Cayo Santiago--derived Macaca mulatta

This paper examines similarities between rhesus macaques and humans in growth and remodeling of the long bones of the extremities. Cross-sectional moments of inertia were measured in three locations of the femur, humerus and tibia of M. mulatta using photon absorptiometry. Differences between males and females were evaluated with respect to age and weight. Remodeling was assessed from histologic sections at the same locations. Sex differences in structural properties of the long bones occur only at mid-diaphysis. Differences reflect the greater need for powerful hindlimb propulsion in males. The growth rate in males is twice as fast as that in females. Several periods of growth acceleration were detected in both males and females. Intracortical remodeling in growing macaques is relatively slow and may be more like that in elderly humans than that in growing children.