This collaborative project arises from observation by biologists and veterinarians working with free ranging caribou populations that compared with historical data, female caribou with calves have a higher incident of fractures compared with other females, young caribou, or males.  In other cervid species, osteoporosis has been associated with malnutrition (especially deficiencies in protein) and with mineral deficiencies or imbalances. 

In order to investigate this observation, evaluation of bone mineral density (BMD) is underway on collected metatarsal bones from caribou from varying age classes, gender, and at different stages of lactation in females.  BMD assessed by a number of methods including:
• Microcomputed Tomography
• Absolute bone mineral density
• Histological analyses

Whenever possible, this data will be paired with mineral levels in liver or serum.  We will also assess for regional variation by comparing samples from different regions of the Northwest Territories and Greenland, which may lead to further exploration of native habitat nutrients.

Sample Microcomputed Tomography scan of metatarsal bone