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The use of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry in animals.
Abstract: The use of dual-energy absorptiometry (DXA) to measure bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) is widespread in humans and has been adapted to animals because of the need to examine bone and body composition in longitudinal studies. In this review, the indications and techniques for DXA in small-sized animals (rodents, cats, and rabbits) and large-sized animals (dogs, swine, nonhuman primates, sheep, and horses) are discussed. Now that software has been developed for measuring BMD in small laboratory animals, the most frequent use of DXA in animals is in rats. An ultrahigh-resolution mode of acquisition is used for their small bones but also is necessary for other small-sized animals such as rabbits and cats. In larger-sized animals such as dogs, pigs, and sheep, software used in humans has been adapted successfully to measure BMC/BMD and body composition. The human spine and left and right hip protocols are adapted easily to animals of this size, and the software for body composition has been adapted to dogs. Measurement of bone mass around metallic implants is possible in animals and most studies have involved dogs. To ensure precision of DXA in the noninvasive measurement of BMD in animals, attention to positioning and ability of the operator to define the same region of interest using clearly defined anatomical landmarks on the scan image cannot be overemphasized. This is one of the essential requirements for successful densitometry in animals.
Publication Date: 1996-01-01 PubMed ID: 8850365DOI: 10.1097/00004424-199601000-00008Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Review
Summary
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This research article reviews the application and techniques of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), a method commonly used in humans to measure bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD), in various animal species. These species range from small-sized animals such as rodents, cats, and rabbits to large-sized ones like dogs, swine, nonhuman primates, sheep, and horses.
Adaptation of DXA to Animals
- The authors discuss how DXA, initially developed for use in humans, has been adapted for use in animals as a crucial tool in longitudinal studies of bone and body composition.
- With technological advancements, software has been designed to accurately measure BMC and BMD in small laboratory animals such as rodents. The DXA technology is most frequently applied in rats.
- Due to the small bone size in these animals, an ultrahigh-resolution mode of acquisition is often necessary. This mode is not only useful for rodents but also other small-sized animals, including rabbits and cats.
Application of DXA in Larger Animals
- In the case of larger animals such as dogs, pigs, and sheep, human-based DXA software has been effectively adapted to measure BMC/BMD and body composition.
- Specifically, human spinal and hip protocols have been easily adapted to fit animals of this size. The software responsible for determining body composition has seen successful adaption in dogs.
- DXA technology also enables the assessment of bone mass around metallic implants in larger animals, with dogs involved in most studies.
Importance of Operator Precision
- Beyond the adaptation of technology, the researchers caution that the operator’s precision is critical in achieving accurate BMD measurements in animals noninvasively.
- It is emphasized that positioning and ability of the operator to consistently define the same region of interest using clearly defined anatomical landmarks on the scan image plays a pivotal role in successful densitometry in animals.
Cite This Article
APA
Grier SJ, Turner AS, Alvis MR.
(1996).
The use of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry in animals.
Invest Radiol, 31(1), 50-62.
https://doi.org/10.1097/00004424-199601000-00008 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins 80523, USA. sturner@vagus.vth.colostate.edu
MeSH Terms
- Absorptiometry, Photon
- Animals
- Body Composition
- Bone Density
- Bone and Bones / chemistry
- Cats
- Dogs
- Horses
- Humans
- Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
- Longitudinal Studies
- Metals
- Pelvic Bones / anatomy & histology
- Pelvic Bones / chemistry
- Primates
- Prostheses and Implants
- Rabbits
- Rats
- Sheep
- Software
- Spine / anatomy & histology
- Spine / chemistry
- Swine
Citations
This article has been cited 13 times.- Borbélyová V, Šarayová V, Renczés E, Čonka J, Janko J, Šebeková K, Štefíková K, Ostatníková D, Celec P. The effect of long-term hypogonadism on body composition and morphometry of aged male Wistar rats. Physiol Res 2021 Dec 31;70(S3):S357-S367.
- Kim HS, Jeong ES, Yang MH, Yang SO. Bone mineral density assessment for research purpose using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Osteoporos Sarcopenia 2018 Sep;4(3):79-85.
- Ayyappan S, Niveditha B, Breur GJ. Determination of baseline bone mineral density using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in Suffolk-Dorset hybrid ewes. Int J Vet Sci Med 2017 Jun;5(1):41-46.
- Jayusman PA, Mohamed IN, Shuid AN. The Effects of Chemical Castration with Degarelix on Bone Turnover: Densitometric and Biomechanics Bone Properties of Male Rats. Int J Endocrinol Metab 2018 Jul;16(3):e64038.
- Kwon D, Kim J, Lee H, Kim B, Han H, Oh H, Kim M, Yoon H, Lee B, Eom K. Quantitative computed tomographic evaluation of bone mineral density in beagle dogs: comparison with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry as a gold standard. J Vet Med Sci 2018 Apr 18;80(4):620-628.
- Shi J, Lee S, Uyeda M, Tanjaya J, Kim JK, Pan HC, Reese P, Stodieck L, Lin A, Ting K, Kwak JH, Soo C. Guidelines for Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry Analysis of Trabecular Bone-Rich Regions in Mice: Improved Precision, Accuracy, and Sensitivity for Assessing Longitudinal Bone Changes. Tissue Eng Part C Methods 2016 May;22(5):451-63.
- Summers L, Clingerman KJ, Yang X. Validation of a body condition scoring system in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta): assessment of body composition by using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci 2012 Jan;51(1):88-93.
- Zotti A, Poggi R, Cozzi B. Exceptional bone density DXA values of the rostrum of a deep-diving marine mammal: a new technical insight in the adaptation of bone to aquatic life. Skeletal Radiol 2009 Dec;38(12):1123-5.
- Butti C, Corain L, Cozzi B, Podestà M, Pirone A, Affronte M, Zotti A. Age estimation in the Mediterranean bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus (Montagu 1821) by bone density of the thoracic limb. J Anat 2007 Nov;211(5):639-46.
- Sigrist IM, Gerhardt C, Alini M, Schneider E, Egermann M. The long-term effects of ovariectomy on bone metabolism in sheep. J Bone Miner Metab 2007;25(1):28-35.
- Castañeda S, Largo R, Calvo E, Rodríguez-Salvanés F, Marcos ME, Díaz-Curiel M, Herrero-Beaumont G. Bone mineral measurements of subchondral and trabecular bone in healthy and osteoporotic rabbits. Skeletal Radiol 2006 Jan;35(1):34-41.
- Dirrigl FJ Jr, Buchanan SR. Intelligent dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (iDXA) and small animal scanning as a useful tool to measure appendicular bird bone mineral density. Poult Sci 2026 Jan;105(1):106112.
- Mazzaferro EM, Greco DS, Turner AS, Fettman MJ. Treatment of feline diabetes mellitus using an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor and a low-carbohydrate diet. J Feline Med Surg 2003 Jun;5(3):183-9.
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