Histomorphometric analysis of dynamic parameters of trabecular bone formation in the iliac crest of normal British...

Some dynamic parameters of bone formation in trabecular iliac crest bone have been measured in a group of normal British subjects of both sexes over a wide age range. There was a significant age-related decrease in mean wall thickness. When either double plus single or double only tetracycline-labeled surfaces were used to represent actively mineralizing surfaces, there was a significant age-related decrease in the bone formation rate at the basic multicellular unit level. Osteoid maturation period showed a significant age-related increase when calculated using double plus single labeled surfaces. There was no significant change with age in fractional labeled surfaces, mean osteoid seam width, bone formation rate at tissue level, or bone formation period. The mean osteoid seam width and osteoid maturation period were significantly higher in males than in females.