The Ovariectomized Rat as a Model for Studying Alveolar Bone Loss in Postmenopausal Women

Table 3

Summary of studies investigating estrogen replacement therapy and mandibular health in ovariectomized rats.

Rat strain	Sample size per group	Age at OVX (wks)	OVX duration (wks)	Estrogen dose; duration (wks)	Main findings for mandible,; compared to OVX	Reference
Wistar		Unknown	2	17-estradiol; 1.5 g/day; continuous infusion; 2	(i) Less nuclei (osteoclasts)	[54]
Sprague-Dawley		13	7	17-estradiol; 10 g/kg; 5 days/wk; 7	(i) 36% less periodontal ligament space	[55]
Wistar		11	11	17-estradiol; 20 g/kg daily; 11	(i) 41% greater bone density	[56]
Wistar		26	16	Estriol; 100 g/kg; 5 days/wk; 12	(i) Improved trabecular BMD and BMC	[57]
Sprague-Dawley		13	62	17-estradiol; 10 g/kg; 4 days/wk; 10	(i) 38% less periosteal mineralizing surface; (ii) 88% less endosteal double-labeled surface; (iii) 51% less endosteal mineralizing surface; (iv) 71% less endosteal mineral apposition rate	[58]

OVX, ovariectomized; BMD, bone mineral density; BMC, bone mineral content.