[Body weight and skeletal growth in female rats after ovariectomy]

The body weight gain and growth of tail and tibia were investigated in ovariectomized female rats to ascertain whether the increased skeletal growth after ovariectomy takes place at the same time as the increased body weight gain. Female rats were ovariectomized on the 30th day of age; half of them was killed on the 60th day of age and the other half was killed on the 130th day of age. The body weight and tail length were significantly higher in the ovariectomized females than in intact females from the 60th day of age (Figs. 1, 2). The ovariectomized animals had higher body weight gain and tail length increment, in comparison with intact animals, mainly between the 40th and 60th day of age (Tabs. I, II). After the 90th day of age the body weight gain and tail length increment were no longer significantly higher in ovariectomized animals than in intact animals, although the ovariectomized females maintained the significantly higher body weight and tail length till the end of the experiment (130th day of age). The length of tibia was larger in ovariectomized animals if compared with controls, on the 60th as well as on the 130th day of age. However, the rate of longitudinal growth of tibia, measured (by tetracycline method) between the 57th and 59th day and between the 127th and 129th day of age, was significantly higher in ovariectomized animals only in the first period of measurement (Tab. III).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)