# BONE LOSS AFTER OVARIECTOMY

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY · 1993 · $141,953

## Abstract

Despite recent advances in the awareness of osteoporosis as a major health
problem causing a great societal economic burden of increasing proportions,
little is known about the histological mechanisms leading to decreased bone
mass after cessation of ovarian function.  Our previous NIH funded studies
identified an initial phase of rapid bone loss that occurs during the first
four weeks after ovariohysterectomy followed by a maintenance phase of low
bone mass during the months thereafter.  The initiation phase appears to be
related to hyperresorption, whereas, the maintenance phase is clearly dues
to insufficient bone formation.  The proposed in vivo studies will employ
our established animal model for bone loss occurring after cessation of
ovarian function since the histologic changes seen in this model mirror the
histologic findings in postmenopausal women with high turnover
osteoporosis.  The specific objectives are to determine:  (1) whether the
initial phase of rapid bone loss after cessation of ovarian function is
related to hyperresorption; (2) whether calcitonin can be used to prevent
bone loss occurring soon after cessation of ovarian function; (3) whether
intestinal 1,25 vitamin D receptors are altered in the initiation and
maintenance phase of bone loss; (4) whether there are changes in growth
factors and crystal size and perfection associated with bone loss occurring
after cessation of ovarian function; and, (5) whether calcitonin can
positively affect the maintenance phase of bone loss by exerting an effect
on bone formation.

To achieve these goals, Beagle dogs will be ovariohysterectomized or sham-
operated, and then sequential bone biopsies, blood tests for calciotropic
hormones, BGP, IGF-I, IGF-II, and other biochemical parameters will be
examined at regular intervals.  Half of the dogs will receive calcitonin,
the others will serve as controls.  Intestinal 1,25D receptors will be
studied soon after ovariohysterectomy (initiation phase) and four months
after cessation of ovarian function.  Bone will be studied at the organ
level (compressive strength), at the tissue and cellular level (static and
dynamic histomorphometry) and at the crystal level (density fractionation
and infrared spectroscopy).

Results of these studies will provide new and relevant information on
mechanisms associated with bone loss after cessation of ovarian function
and the therapeutic value of calcitonin in preventing, arresting and/or
reversing these changes.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3157386
- **Project number:** 5R01AR035837-06
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** H1HYA8Z1NTM5
- **Principal Investigator:** Hartmut H Malluche
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1993
- **Award amount:** $141,953
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1986-04-01 → 1995-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3157386

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3157386, BONE LOSS AFTER OVARIECTOMY (5R01AR035837-06). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3157386. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*