The development of bone in immature rats and in aged rats has not been thoroughly studied. Therefore, we investigated the development of bones in young, middle-aged, and aged female rats. Because most rat chows contain soy proteins, including estrogenic isoflavones, as a source of protein, comparison of effects on mineral density and on areas of the cancellous and cortical parts of the metaphysis of the tibia as measured by quantitative computer tomography in animals fed with soy-free and soy-containing food was made. As surrogate parameters of bone metabolism serum, osteocalcin (OC) and the breakdown products of bone collagen--the Crosslaps--were also determined. The cancellous density increased between day 25 after birth to reach peak bone mass at 90 days of age; in 18-and 20-month-old animals, significant reduction was observed that was more profound in the animals fed with soy-free food. Serum OC and the Crosslaps were highest in 15-day-old and lowest in 9-, 18-, and 20-month-old animals. Animals fed with soy-containing food had significantly higher osteocalcin levels at day 15 and at 9 and 18 months of age. In the aged animals, intake of soy isoflavones that have an estrogenic effect appears to exert beneficial effects as these aged animals lost less cancellous bone, as indicated by their surrogate parameters of metabolism in the serum. It is concluded that exorbitantly high bone turnover is present in immature and peripubertal rats. Raising and keeping female rats under soy-free or soy-containing conditions has marked effects on several bone parameters that are of particular relevance in aged animals.

Introduction The efficacy, safety, and perinatal outcome of oral misoprostol (OM), a misoprostol vaginal insert (MVI), and a dinoprostone vaginal insert (DVI) for induction of labor at term was examined in a prospective multicenter cohort study (ethics committee vote 4154–07/14). The primary aims of the study were the induction-birth interval (IBI), the cumulative delivery rates after 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h as well as the mode of delivery. Method 322 pregnant women were included in four German tertiary perinatal centers (MVI 110, DVI 64, OM 148). They did not vary in age or BMI. Statistical analysis was carried out using a multivariate linear regression analysis and binary logistic regression analysis. Results With regards to the median IBI, MVI and OM were equally effective and superior to the DVI (MVI 823 min [202, 5587]; DVI 1226 min [209, 4909]; OM 847 min [105, 5201]; p = 0.006). Within 24 hours, 64% were able to deliver with DVI, 85.5% with MVI and 87.5% with OM (p < 0.01). The rates of secondary Caesarean sections (MVI 24.5%; DVI 26.6%; OM 18.9%) did not differ significantly. Uterine tachysystole was found in 20% with MVI, 4.7% with DVI and 1.4% with OM (p < 0.001). A uterine rupture did not occur in any of the cases. Perinatal acidosis occurred (umbilical cord arterial pH < 7.10) in 8.3% with MVI, 4.7 with DVI and 1% with OM (p = 0.32). Neonatal condition was only impaired in three cases (5-minute Apgar score < 5). Summary Induction of labor at term using the prostaglandins misoprostol and dinoprostone is an effective intervention that is safe for the mother and child. Oral application of misoprostol demonstrated the highest efficacy while maintaining a favorable safety profile.

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