engleski

Application of dual energy X-ray absorptiometry method for small animals in measuring bone mineral density of the humerus of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from the Adriatic Sea

The measurement of bone mineral density (BMD) in dolphins was described in earlier investigations, but only by application of osteodensitometric methods used for man. The aim of this study was to test the possibilities of applying the method for small animals in the measurement of the bone mineral density in dolphins. The humeri of the right flfl ippers of 24 bottlenose dolphins (11 males and 13 females) were analyzed using the dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) method for measurement and analysis of the bone mineral density in small animals. The tested method can be successfully applied for measuring bone mineral density in dolphins, but the range of measured values was lower than values that resulted from using the method for man. Statistical analysis indicated positive linear correlations between bone mineral density of dolphin humerus and the total body length and age of the dolphins.

bottlenose dolphin; Tursiops truncatus; dolphin humerus; dual energy X-ray absorptiometry; bone mineral density

nije evidentirano