The sheep as a large osteoporotic model for orthopaedic research in humans

Although small animals as rodents are very popular animals for osteoporosis models,large animals models are necessary for research of human osteoporotic diseases.Sheep osteoporosis models are becoming more important because of its unique advantages for osteoporosis reseach.Sheep are docile in nature and large in size,which facilitates obtaining blood samples,urine samples and bone tissue samples for different biochemical tests and histological tests,and surgical manipulation and instrument examinations.Their physiology is similar to humans.To induce osteoporosis,OVX and calcium intake restriction and glucocorticoid application are the most effective methods for sheep osteoporosis model.Sheep osteoporosis model is an ideal animal model for studying various medicines reacting to osteoporosis and other treatment methods such as prosthetic replacement reacting to osteoporotic fracture.However,to be used as the most ideal animal for osteoporosis model,some researches need to be done for sheep.Here,we review the use of sheep as an animal model for human orthopaedic diseases.