Abstract
Large doses of steroid were given to adult rabbits over a six-month period to investigate the mechanism of avascular necrosis. The steroid caused an increase in the serum cholesterol and fatty metamorphosis of the liver.
Bone marrow blood flow was measured by the hydrogen washout method, which was performed in the proximal tibia. The bone marrow blood flow was found to decrease. Histological observations identified an increase of the number of empty lacunae, a reduction in bone formation rate, and a degeneration of marrow fat. These observations may help to define the mechanism for avascular necrosis inducedby systemic steroid.
