Fig. 3.

Changes in microarchitecture, porosity of L4/5 caudal endplate, and disc volume quantified by micro-CT analysis. A a Three-dimensional images and parameters of caudal endplate. Results showing that increased cavities in OVX mice (yellow arrow) indicate osteochondral remodeling of the endplate. b–e Markedly decreased bone volume (BV)/total volume (TV) and number of closed pores (Po.N(cl)) and increased open porosity (Po(op)) and total volume of pore space (Po.V(tot)) are shown in the ovariectomized (OVX) group. B a The top view of the caudal endplate showing a higher surface porosity in OVX mice (yellow arrows). b,c Quantification of disc volume by micro-CT showing a significant decrease in OVX mice. The ROI of the disc is indicated by the red color. Data are shown as mean ± SD, n = 6 per group. *p < 0.05. CT control, IVD intervertebral disc