The maintenance of the normal metabolism of minerals in the bone is a result of several factors including the mechanical demands that are applied to the bones by muscle contractions and gravity force. The proposal of this investigation was to study a model of tail suspension of rats thus simulating the skeletal alterations that may occur in a microgravity environment. The model was analyzed in terms of animal tolerance and the ensuing effects on the mechanical resistance of the tibiofibular complex. After a three-point bending test in flexion the main mechanical parameters were obtained, (load and deflection at the ultimate limit, load and deflection at the yielding point, stiffness and resilience). 53 adult female rats were used and distributed in four groups according to the length of time in suspension (control, 7, 14 and 21 days). The model of suspension was efficient with good animals adaptation and it caused a significant weakness of bones mainly in the 21-day period.
Weightlessness simulation; Bone; Rats
