How to build a rabbit scoliosis model? -【Animal Modeling】

  Objective: To establish a rabbit scoliosis model using unilateral transverse process tension spring compression method.

  Method: 10 two-month-old New Zealand white rabbits were operated on L2 and L5 to mount a tension spring on the right transverse process. X-rays were taken before and at 1, 4 and 8 weeks after the operation, and the Cobb angle and the length of the tension spring were measured. After taking the pictures 8 weeks after the operation, 10 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into two groups: take the tension spring (Spring removal, SR) group and 5 spring keeping group (Spring keeping, SK) each, take out the tension springs from the rabbits in the SR group, take X-ray positive and lateral films at 9 weeks and 12 weeks, and measure the Cobb angle and kyphosis angle. After 12 weeks, all rabbit apical vertebrae and their upper-line vertebrae were scanned by Micro-CT, and the bone volume fraction (BV/TV) of the upper and lower endplates of the apical vertebrae was recorded. The experimental results were statistically analyzed by analysis of variance or non-parametric test and Student t test.

  Result: By the end of the experiment, all rabbits were alive, and the Cobb angles were all greater than 10°. The Cobb angle and the kyphotic angle at different time points at 1, 4, and 8 weeks after surgery were greater than those before surgery (P<0.05). 8="" at="" weeks="" there="" were="" no="" significant="" differences="" in="" the="" cobb="" kyphotic="" angle="" and="" length="" of="" tension="" spring="" between="" sr="" group="" sk="" p="">0.05). After the tension spring was removed to 12 weeks, the Cobb angle and the kyphotic angle of the SK group were all higher. The SR group was larger (P<0.05), during="" which="" the="" cobb="" angle="" and="" kyphotic="" of="" sr="" group="" gradually="" decreased.="" micro-ct="" results="" showed="" that="" bone="" volume="" fraction="" concave="" side="" endplate="" was="" greater="" than="" convex="" side.="" whole="" there="" no="" statistical="" difference="" in="" tension="" spring="" deformation="" p="">0.05).

  Conclusion: The unilateral transverse process tension spring compression model is an animal scoliosis model with high reproducibility, simple operation and short experimental period.