Curve Development and Bone Characteristics of a Mouse Model of Congenital Scoliosis

· (a – Scoliosis Research Society Research Grant)

Thirteen pregnant DBA/1J mice were exposed to 600 ppm CO on Day 9.5. Forty-two offspring reached near maturity of which 16 were born with spinal anomalies and all of these developed congenital scoliosis (38%). In the cervical region, there were 4 hemivertebrae, and 2 bars. In the thoracic region, there were 6 hemivertebrae, 3 rib fusions, and 1 bar. In the lumbar region, there was 1 hemivertebrae and 2 bars for a total of 19 spinal anomalies in the 16 mice. Curves were measured at near maturity for an average measurement of 22.7 +/- 10.6 degrees. Using microcomputer tomography (micro CT) frontal plane projections of 4 affected and 10 nonaffected mice revealed curves that were in the same range as the radiographs. The volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) measured by micro CT indicated a higher hydroxyapatite content for the cervical than the thoracic which was higher than the lumbar region.

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