Histomorphometric analysis of osteocyte density and trabecular structure of 92 vertebral bodies of different ages and genders

Knowledge of the histomorphometric structure of the vertebral body and factors influencing the structure is essential for a fundamental understanding of osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures. The present study is focused on osteocyte density - a parameter seldom investigated so far – and trabecular width as well as bone area over tissue area in human vertebral bodies. Ninety-two vertebral body specimens (C5, C6, Th8, Th12, L1, L2) from 12 males and seven females were studied (Ethics Application Number A 2017–0072). The prepared vertebral specimens were extracted from the ventral aspect with a Jamshidi needle®. The punches were decalcified and subsequently H&E stained. Using the Fiji/Image J program (version 1.53 f, Wayne Resband, National Institute of Mental Health, USA), osteocyte numbers were counted per calcified bone surface, and the trabecular width and bone area of trabecular bone were measured. The collected data were analyzed using the statistical software package SPSS, version 23.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, USA). Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used for correlation analyses. Multiple linear regression analyses were also performed. Osteocyte density did not differ significantly in comparisons based on gender and age (≤65 years; ≥66 years). Men had wider trabeculae (p