Mineralization and Structural Anatomy of Bone from Male C57/BL6 Mice with Reduced Testosterone Levels
Location
CSU Ballroom
Start Date
11-4-2017 10:00 AM
End Date
11-4-2017 11:30 AM
Student's Major
Biological Sciences
Student's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Mentor's Name
Michael Bentley
Mentor's Department
Biological Sciences
Mentor's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Description
Osteoporosis is common in post-menopausal women and is related to reduced levels of estrogen. However, in later years, men also develop osteoporosis as testosterone levels decline. Calcium and phosphorus homeostasis is a complex process involving many different components. More than 99% of total body calcium and phosphorus is stored in bone in the form of phosphate and hydroxide salts. Little information is available concerning the role of testosterone in bone mineralization. The goal of this research is to study bone density, calcium levels, and phosphorus levels in both castrated and non-castrated (control) male C57/BL6 mice. The control group consists of eleven non-castrated male mice. The experimental group consists of eleven mice, which had been anesthetized with isoflurane and castrated using aseptic surgical technique. In variable time periods following surgery, the mice were euthanized and the long bones were harvested and weighed for bone density measurement. Calcium and phosphorus levels were measured using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The results will provide information about the effect of low levels of testosterone on bone mineralization. Preliminary results show a mineralization decline between the uncastrated (control) mice and castrated (experimental) mice, indicating testosterone levels are a factor affecting bone mineralization. Understanding testosterone's effects on bone mineralization is critical to the treatment of osteoporosis.
Mineralization and Structural Anatomy of Bone from Male C57/BL6 Mice with Reduced Testosterone Levels
CSU Ballroom
Osteoporosis is common in post-menopausal women and is related to reduced levels of estrogen. However, in later years, men also develop osteoporosis as testosterone levels decline. Calcium and phosphorus homeostasis is a complex process involving many different components. More than 99% of total body calcium and phosphorus is stored in bone in the form of phosphate and hydroxide salts. Little information is available concerning the role of testosterone in bone mineralization. The goal of this research is to study bone density, calcium levels, and phosphorus levels in both castrated and non-castrated (control) male C57/BL6 mice. The control group consists of eleven non-castrated male mice. The experimental group consists of eleven mice, which had been anesthetized with isoflurane and castrated using aseptic surgical technique. In variable time periods following surgery, the mice were euthanized and the long bones were harvested and weighed for bone density measurement. Calcium and phosphorus levels were measured using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The results will provide information about the effect of low levels of testosterone on bone mineralization. Preliminary results show a mineralization decline between the uncastrated (control) mice and castrated (experimental) mice, indicating testosterone levels are a factor affecting bone mineralization. Understanding testosterone's effects on bone mineralization is critical to the treatment of osteoporosis.
Recommended Citation
Rubitschung, Katie. "Mineralization and Structural Anatomy of Bone from Male C57/BL6 Mice with Reduced Testosterone Levels." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 11, 2017.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2017/poster-session-A/21
