The Relationship between Osteonal Geometry and Physiological Stresses (Compression versus Tension) in the Cranial and Caudal Aspects of White-Tailed Deer Proximal Humerus
Poster Number
039
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Biology
Faculty Mentor
Meir Barak, Ph.D, D.V.M.
Abstract
Remodeling refers to the continued biological process of resorbing primary bone tissue and replacing it with a bone structure known as “secondary osteon” (or Haversian system). The aim of this study was to investigate and quantify bone remodeling in the proximal humerus of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). We hypothesized that the cranial and caudal aspects of the proximal humerus, which are subjected to tension and compression, respectively, would demonstrate significantly different osteonal geometry, differing in characteristics such as size, circularity, and angle. Four proximal humeri cross-sections were embedded, polished, and then inspected with a polarizing microscope and stereoscope to determine areas of remodeling in the cranial and caudal aspects. Next, a scanning electron microscope was used to take high-resolution pictures of the caudal and cranial aspects. Finally, ImageJ© was used to count and assess the secondary osteons’ geometries. Our results revealed that the secondary osteons in the cranial aspect, which is subjected to tension, were significantly larger, less circular, and angled more medially, with relatively smaller central canals compared to secondary osteons in the caudal aspect, which is subjected to compression. These results are in line with previous studies showing smaller secondary osteons in areas subjected to compression. The conclusions of our study demonstrate the relationship between bone structure and function, and support the concept of bone functional adaptation.
Previously Presented/Performed?
South Carolina INBRE Symposium, Columbia, South Carolina, October 2017
Grant Support?
Supported by an SC INBRE grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIH-NIGMS)
Start Date
20-4-2018 2:15 PM
End Date
20-4-2018 4:15 PM
The Relationship between Osteonal Geometry and Physiological Stresses (Compression versus Tension) in the Cranial and Caudal Aspects of White-Tailed Deer Proximal Humerus
Richardson Ballroom (DIGS)
Remodeling refers to the continued biological process of resorbing primary bone tissue and replacing it with a bone structure known as “secondary osteon” (or Haversian system). The aim of this study was to investigate and quantify bone remodeling in the proximal humerus of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). We hypothesized that the cranial and caudal aspects of the proximal humerus, which are subjected to tension and compression, respectively, would demonstrate significantly different osteonal geometry, differing in characteristics such as size, circularity, and angle. Four proximal humeri cross-sections were embedded, polished, and then inspected with a polarizing microscope and stereoscope to determine areas of remodeling in the cranial and caudal aspects. Next, a scanning electron microscope was used to take high-resolution pictures of the caudal and cranial aspects. Finally, ImageJ© was used to count and assess the secondary osteons’ geometries. Our results revealed that the secondary osteons in the cranial aspect, which is subjected to tension, were significantly larger, less circular, and angled more medially, with relatively smaller central canals compared to secondary osteons in the caudal aspect, which is subjected to compression. These results are in line with previous studies showing smaller secondary osteons in areas subjected to compression. The conclusions of our study demonstrate the relationship between bone structure and function, and support the concept of bone functional adaptation.
