Charles River is a world leader in contract bone research, offering a fully integrated service in the field since 1995. We conduct bone safety and efficacy studies using rodent and nonrodent animal models to evaluate osteoporosis drugs. Bone toxicology studies, including bone end points in the toxicological evaluation of new drugs, provide reliable quantitative data on the skeleton. These techniques are applied to meet the requirements for skeletal evaluations in juvenile and neonatal studies. Several animal models are also available to evaluate bone healing.
Charles River routinely performs the following:
- Radiographic diagnostics (X-ray)
- Imaging using bone densitometry techniques
- Biochemical markers of bone and cartilage turnover
- Histomorphometry and histology
- Biomechanical strength testing
- Micro-CT scanning
Recognizing the importance of cartilage and joint integrity, Charles River offers several animal models of arthritis with expertise in intra-articular delivery of test materials.
Animal Models for Bone & Cartilage Evaluations
- Gonadectomy (ovariectomy and orchiectomy)-induced bone loss for osteoporosis drug testing
- 5/6 nephrectomy model
- TPTx (thyroparathyroidectomy) model
- Periosteal injection model in weanling rats (screen for anabolic agents)
- Schenk model in weanling rats (screen for anti-resorptive agents)
- Bone defect models
- Orthopedic models
- Osteoarthritis models
- Rheumatoid arthritis models
Additional information about our Bone Research capabilities is available in The SourceSM, our new online scientific and educational information center. To register for The SourceSM, please click here. If you are already a member, click here to login.
Subject matter experts are available to answer any questions that you may have regarding bone research. Click here to submit your specific question, and our scientists will get back to you shortly.