Studies on bone-remodeling rates on the Beagle: A comparison between similar biopsy sites on different ribs

Two male littermate standardized colony-raised Beagles were studied to find out whether there was any statistically significant difference in the measurements of bone-remodeling determinations at similar sites on different ribs of the animal. Tetracycline fluorescent-labeling studies were performed on these animals, the midportion of the proximal, midshaft, and distal thirds being sampled from the 5th, 7th, 9th, and 11th ribs. Statistical analysis of the findings indicates that there is no significant difference in bone-remodeling activity between similar sites on alternate ribs. This fact permits studies on bone-remodeling activity in an animal to be done in which the same animal is used as its own control and in which more than two experimental biopsy samples are required.