The Effects of Vitamin D Deficiency on Histomorphometry and Strength of Rat Vertebrae

Vitamin D3 is integral to both bone remodeling and calcium homeostasis [1]. With vitamin D deficiency, rickets develops during growth and osteomalacia results in adulthood [2]; in both cases, mineralization is altered and bones are more prone to fracture. Although the degenerative effects of vitamin D deficiency on trabecular architecture have been studied, investigations examining both compromised tissue material properties and mechanical properties in the vertebrae of growing animals are scarce. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate cancellous bone architecture and mechanical property changes caused by altered mineralization through vitamin D deficiency in growing rats.