Effects of Steroids on Epiphysiodiaphysial Union in Prepuberal Mice

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Abstract
A procedure for evaluating bone age in 4-week-old mice is described, based on examination under magnification of the alizarin-stained hindfoot, which at this age contains a number of areas undergoing epiphysiodiaphysial union. Untreated females were 4.6 % ahead of males in bone age at 27 days of age. The activities of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) and testosterone in advancing bone maturation in intact female mice were not significantly different throughout the dose range tested. The maximal advance in bone age produced by the steroids was 25%. Both steroids were active in ovariectomized as well as in intact mice. Since the virilizing activity of DHA in these mice was much less than that of testosterone, it is concluded that DHA is able to exert an effect on bone maturation with much less virilization that would be associated with an equivalent effect on bone if produced by testosterone.