Miniature swine have been used as a model of osteopenia at Sinclair Research Center since 1989. Miniature swine have a lot to offer to the field of osteoporosis. The following is a summary listing of the positive attributes of miniature swine for osteoporosis research. The miniature swine is a remodeling species with trabecular as well as intra-cortical remodeling. Adult body size is similar to humans.
Bone development is well documented in miniature swine.
Miniature swine is the species of choice for trans-dermal drug delivery. Histomorphometry parameters are well documented. Miniature swine are also an excellent model for atherosclerosis and diabetes. Miniature swine can be used as a dual animal model of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis studies using miniature swine are more cost efficient than with monkeys.