Determination of baseline bone mineral density using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in Suffolk-Dorset hybrid ewes

Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) has the ability to rapidly and non-invasively measure bone mineral density and is the most widely accepted method for quantitative assessment of bone mineral status in vivo. There is scarce information available on the baseline bone mineral density (BMD) values in adult intact Suffolk Dorset ewes (5–7 years), a frequently used animal model for the study of post-menopausal osteoporosis. The objective of the present study was to determine the baseline bone mineral density values in 26 adult intact Suffolk-Dorset hybrid ewes using a Lunar Prodigy DPX x-ray bone densitometer. The DEXA scans of the femur, lumbar spine (L3-L6) and calcaneus were obtained. Because of the low variability between the scans for the lumbar vertebrae and calcaneus in the first two animals, only two scans were obtained for the remaining animals of the study. The femoral scans were rejected due to high variability between the scans. The BMD was calculated using the standard GE antero-posterior human spine acquisition software. The bone mineral densities of regions of interest (ROIs) were compared by the Bonferroni significant difference technique. The results of the study demonstrated that the BMD progressively reduced from L3 to L6 and a strong correlation was found between the BMD values for the ROIs from L3 to L6. The present study provided a precise and rapid method for measuring the BMD of the lumbar spine in Suffolk-Dorset breed of sheep and recorded reference values in adult sheep.