A longitudinal study of the growth of the New Zealand white rabbit: Cumulative and biweekly incremental growth rates for body length, body weight, femoral length, and tibial length

Abstract

This longitudinal study documents cumulative and incremental growth in the New Zealand white rabbit from 2 to 34 weeks of age at biweekly intervals. Body weight, body length, femoral length, and tibial length have been assessed in 17 male and 12 female rabbits, with the data tabulated separately. A specially designed restrainer was used that allowed the sequential clinical measurements and femoral and tibial radiographs to be performed without the use of anesthesia. Skeletal growth was complete at 28 weeks, with the 34-week values thus representing mature adult lengths. The mean body weight at 2 weeks of age was 6% that at 34 weeks, and by 16 weeks, 72% of the weight at 34 weeks was achieved. Weight continued to increase in the adult. The mean body length at 2 weeks was 40% that at 34 weeks, and by 16 weeks, 91% of mature adult length was achieved. The mean femoral length at 2 weeks was 38% of the adult length, and at 16 weeks, it reached 95% of adult length. The mean tibial length at 2 weeks was 38% of the adult length, and 94% of the adult value was achieved by 16 weeks. The longitudinal data document the rate and extent of growth of the New Zealand white rabbit, and allow for more accurate timing and quantitation of physical and systemic interventions on the developing skeleton of the commonly investigated New Zealand white rabbit.

Rescue of coronal suture fusion using transforming growth factor‐beta 3 (Tgf‐β3) in rabbits with delayed‐onset craniosynostosis

“…Variations in neurocapsular growth patterns and timing have also been observed in rabbits and humans. Approximately 90% of brain growth in rabbits is completed by 35 days of age (Harel et al, 1972;Kier, 1976;Alberius and Selvik, 1985;Masoud et al, 1986;Cooper et al, 1999), as compared to about 4 -6 years of age in humans (Enlow and McNamara, 1973;Kier, 1976;Enlow, 1990). Thus, in humans a much greater length of time would be needed for sutural exposure to Tgf-␤3 to prevent premature suture fusion.…”

“…Longitudinal body weight and coronal suture growth data were obtained from all rabbits at 10, 25, 42, and 84 days of age (at this age, approximately 80 -90% of calvarial and brain growth is completed in the rabbit) (Harel et al, 1972;Masoud et al, 1986;Mooney et al, 1994b;Burrows et al, 1995).…”

Insulin‐like growth factor‐I gene expression patterns during spontaneous repair of acute articular cartilage injury

“…All previous studies employed rabbits 4-18 months of age, in which 1.5-3 mm full-thickness cartilage defects were made. Rabbits become skeletally mature when physes close at the age of 6 to 8 months [21]. This study employed 3-5-year old horses, in which 15 mm cartilage defects were created.…”

Avaliação do efeito do ibandronato na consolidação de fratura: estudo experimental em coelhos

“…Com relação ao método utilizado neste estudo, selecionamos o coelho como modelo experimental por este animal apresentar sistema esquelético semelhante ao humano, com sistemas de havers completos (22) , o que não ocorre nos roedores, conforme demonstrado por Nunamaker (23) . Segundo estes autores, os roedores não são modelos adequados nas pesquisas que envolvem estudo das propriedades estruturais do osso.…”