Typical X‐ray micro‐tomography (XMT) images, bone mineral density (BMD) and thickness of tibial subchondral plate (SP) from 1‐, 3‐, 5‐, 7‐, 9‐, 11‐, 13‐, 15‐, 16‐ and 17‐month‐old rats (n = 100). (A–J) Typical XMT images from 1‐, 3‐, 5‐, 7‐, 9‐, 11‐, 13‐, 15‐, 16‐ and 17‐month‐old rats, respectively. (K) Medial BMD was plotted with animal age. (L) Lateral BMD was plotted with animal age. (M) Medial thickness was plotted with animal age. (N) Lateral thickness was plotted with animal age. #
P < 0.05, compared with 1‐month group; &
P < 0.05, compared with 3‐month group; *P < 0.05, compared with 5‐ month group; ▲P < 0.05, compared with 7‐month group; ●P < 0.05, compared with 9‐month group; ■P < 0.05, compared with 11‐month group; ◆P < 0.05, compared with 13‐month group; £
P < 0.05, compared with 15‐month group; §
P < 0.05, compared with 16‐month group.