A modified technique of rat tail suspension for longer periods of observation

Aviat Space Environ Med. 2012 Dec;83(12):1176-80. doi: 10.3357/asem.3248.2012.

Abstract

Background: Rat tail suspension is an accepted method to create experimental osteopenia. However, suspension periods longer than 3 wk may cause tail skin sloughing or rat slippage. The hypothesis was that a traction system with skeletal anchorage through one tail vertebra would prolong the suspension time without significant complications.

Methods: There were 80 young adult female Wistar rats that were submitted to one of the following interventions: skeletal tail suspension (N = 20), skin tail suspension (N = 20), no intervention (N = 20), and a baseline control (N = 20). All animals were followed up either for 3 (N = 10) or 6 (N = 10) wk. Animals were assessed for clinical signs of stress and tolerance to suspension. The femur evaluation was in terms of mineral density content, mechanical resistance, and histomorphometry.

Results/discussion: All animals reached the 3-wk end point. However, for the 6-wk period, seven animals suspended by the skin traction method were discarded (70%) because of signs of stress and skin sloughing. In contrast, there was one loss in the skeletal suspension group (10%). All suspended animals developed similar osteopenia at 3 wk characterized by decreased bone mineral content, weakened bone resistance, and loss of femoral mass. At 6 wk, all suspended animals had similar osteopenic parameters, but they were not statistically different from those of the rats in the 3-wk groups. Therefore, suspension longer than 3 wk did not increase the bone deterioration in the femur.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Bone Density
  • Bone Diseases, Metabolic / etiology*
  • Female
  • Hindlimb Suspension / methods*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Time Factors