Effect of ovariohysterectomy on pelvic mineral density in puppies

Abstract

Currently, veterinary specialists use in clinical practice modern, minimally invasive and suitable methods for determining and detecting pathologies of bone mineralization, one of which is densitometry. Bone mineralization density was determined by radiography and subsequent analysis of radiographs using the HiScene program. The obtained results of digital processing of radiographic images in puppies of the control and experimental groups on radiographs of the pelvic bones showed the absence of destructive changes in bone and cartilage tissues. The shape and size of the pelvic bones are normal, the contours are clear, even, the bone architectonics is not changed, there were no signs of arthrosis of the hip joints. On x-rays of the hip joints, the nuclei of ossification of the heads (left and right) of the femurs were not visualized – the age norm, they were rounded, symmetrical, centered in the joints. Assessment of changes in bone mineral density was carried out by densitometry (determination of the density of materials by checking their resistance to the passage of X-rays) in puppies aged 6 to 9 months, subjected to ovariohysterectomy (OHEC) and without surgery. As a result of the research, the authors found that in animals, against the background of ovariohysterectomy (experimental group), there is a slow increase in the mineral density of the bone tissue of the pelvis and femur compared to the control group. According to the authors, it is associated with the maturation of puppies and with the intensive growth of the skeleton. The accumulation of the mineral component in animals subjected to OHEC is confirmed by the difference between the indices of the groups (≈9.3%). This fact allows us to conclude that OHEC has a negative effect on bone mineralization.