Bone reactions around hydroxyapatite-coated implants in ovariectomized rats

Objective. The purpose of this study was to investigate bone reaction after implantation in an estrogen-deficient state by examining the changes in bone reactions within tissue surrounding implants in ovariectomized rats. Study Design. Ninety-six 12-week-old female Wistar rats were used in the study; they were divided into 2 groups, an ovariectomized group and a sham-operated group. Hydroxyapatite-coated implants were placed in the proximal metaphyses of the tibiae 21 days after surgery. The tibiae were examined histologically by undecalcified sections at various intervals from 7 to 168 days after surgery. Results. In the cortical bone area of the ovariectomized rats, the procedure did not induce any apparent changes in bone volume around the implant or in bone contact with the implant in comparison with the sham-operated rats. In contrast, both bone volume around the implant and contact of the implant with new bone were significantly decreased in the cancellous bone area in the ovariectomized rats in comparison with the sham-operated rats. Conclusions. Ovariectomy did not seriously affect bone healing after the placement of implants in cortical bone areas, but it reduced the bone contact ratio and the bone in the cancellous bone area. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 1999;87:145-52)