College
Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences (BCAS)
Date of Last Revision
2023-05-03 18:25:17
Major
Biology
Honors Course
3100:499:003
Number of Credits
3
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Date of Expected Graduation
Fall 2019
Abstract
Bone is a dynamic tissue with the ability to remodel itself. This capability is facilitated via communication mechanisms through the osteocyte-lacunar-canalicular (LCN) network. Osteocytes are bone cells housed in small, hollow spaces called lacunae. Lacunae are linked by canals called canaliculi. A diminished network can lead to the inability to form bone following breakdown. A decrease in osteocyte-LCN density has been shown to correlate with aging (Ashique et al. 2017). This decline leads to the development of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis preferentially affects women. Prior studies have shown that women older than 50 are four times more likely to be osteoporotic when compared to their male counterparts (Alswat 2017). However, it is unclear why women are more affected. Furthermore, there is a gap in knowledge pertaining to the timing of osteocyte-LCN decrease. We hypothesize that a significant decrease in osteocyte-LCN volume will appear in females greater than age 45, suggesting a link to changes associated with menopause. Additionally, we anticipate that females will exhibit a lower osteocyte-LCN volume than males. By comparing volumetric measurements of the osteocyte LCN network between males and females across the lifespan, we hope to elucidate the timing of the large decline and draw conclusions across sexes.
Research Sponsor
Dr. Janna Andronowski
First Reader
Dr. Brian Bagatto
Second Reader
Dr. Jordan Renna
Honors Faculty Advisor
Dr. Brian Bagatto
Recommended Citation
Tubo, Gina, "Evaluating Sex Related Differences in the Osteocyte Lacunar Canalicular Network Across the Lifespan: A Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy Approach" (2019). Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects. 1010.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/1010
Comments
This project is part of a larger, ongoing publication. Therefore, the results of this project were not included in the idea exchange upload. A discussion of the results is also missing. To obtain the full text, including results and discussion, please contact the author.