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Preclinical and Translational Studies in Small Ruminants (Sheep and Goat) as Models for Osteoporosis Research

  • Regenerative Biology and Medicine in Osteoporosis (T Webster, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Osteoporosis Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of the Review

This review summarizes research on the use of sheep and goats as large animal models of human osteoporosis for preclinical and translational studies.

Recent Findings

The most frequent osteoporotic sheep model used is the ovariectomized sheep with 12 months post-operatively or more and the combined treatment of ovariectomized sheep associated to calcium/vitamin D-deficient diet and glucocorticoid applications for 6 months, but other methods are also described, like pinealectomy or hypothalamic-pituitary disconnection in ovariectomized sheep. The goat model for osteoporosis research has been used in a very limited number of studies in osteoporosis research relative to sheep. These osteoporotic small ruminant models are applied for biomaterial research, bone augmentation, efficacy of implant fixation, fragility fracture-healing process improvement, or bone-defect repair studies in the osteopenic or osteoporotic bone.

Summary

Sheep are a recognized large animal model for preclinical and translational studies in osteoporosis research and the goat to a lesser extent. Recently, the pathophysiological mechanism underlying induction of osteoporosis in glucocorticoid-treated ovariectomized aged sheep was clarified, being similar to what occurs in postmenopausal women with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. It was also concluded that the receptor activator of NF-κB ligand was stimulated in the late progressive phase of the osteoporosis induced by steroids in sheep. The knowledge of the pathophysiological mechanisms at the cellular and molecular levels of the induction of osteoporosis in small ruminants, if identical to humans, will allow in the future, the use of these animal models with greater confidence in the preclinical and translational studies for osteoporosis research.

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Author notes

  1. Isabel R. Dias and José A. Camassa contributed equally and were considered co-first authors of this review article

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Veterinary Sciences, Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences School, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Quinta de Prados, 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal

    Isabel R. Dias, José A. Camassa, João A. Bordelo & Carlos A. Viegas

  2. 3B’s Research Group-Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, Department of Polymer Engineering, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark-Parque da Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, Barco, 4805-017, Guimarães, Portugal

    Isabel R. Dias, Pedro S. Babo, Carlos A. Viegas, Rui L. Reis & Manuela E. Gomes

  3. ICVS/3B’s-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Braga, Portugal

    Isabel R. Dias, Pedro S. Babo, Carlos A. Viegas, Rui L. Reis & Manuela E. Gomes

  4. CMEMS-UMinho, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4804-533, Guimarães, Portugal

    Nuno Dourado

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. José A. Camassa reports and acknowledges the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq-Brazil) for his PhD scholarship 202248/2015-1.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Regenerative Biology and Medicine in Osteoporosis

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Dias, I.R., Camassa, J.A., Bordelo, J.A. et al. Preclinical and Translational Studies in Small Ruminants (Sheep and Goat) as Models for Osteoporosis Research. Curr Osteoporos Rep 16, 182–197 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11914-018-0431-2

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