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A Study of the Effects of Aging on Parathormone Induced Osteoclastogenesis in the Mouse 1
Author(s) -
Levenson David A.,
Tonna Edgar A.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
gerodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1741-2358
pISSN - 0734-0664
DOI - 10.1111/j.1741-2358.1986.tb00057.x
Subject(s) - medicine , endocrinology
The effects of aging on the ability of parathormone (PTH) to induce osteoclastogenesis in the femora of mice was investigated. Seventy BNL short‐lived mice ranging in age from 5 to 104 weeks were used and divided in 5 age groups. Fifty‐two mice were Injected i.p. with 5U/gm body weight and sacrificed every 6 hours for 24 hours. Both femora were fixed, decalcified and routinely prepared histologically. All osteoclasts observed at the distal metaphyseal region were microscopically counted, as well as their nuclei. Cell size was also measured. The results showed that the ability of PTH to induce osteoclastogenesis is not lost with age, but is significantly reduced. Furthermore, the tissue response is prolonged with age from 12 to 24 hours. The earlier reports in the literature that osteoclasts originate from fusion of osteogenic cell precursors was supported by the present study. This does not eliminate the fact that alternative origins may also be possible. Observed morphological differences in osteoclasts are most probably functionally related, with loss of function due to aging not being ruled out.