Fig. 5

The disc height , endplate thickness and the ratio of calcified area to endplate area of the endplate of L5-6 disc. Compared with the Sham + V group, the disc height in the OVX + V, PLF + V, and OVX + PLF + V groups were all decreased and the opposite trends were found in endplate thickness and ratio of calcified area to total endplate area. The OVX + PLF + V group showed the most serious degenerative changes, with the lowest disc height, highest endplate thickness, and largest ratio of calcified area to the total endplate area. sCT treated rats showed significantly higher disc height, lower endplate thickness, and decreased ratio of calcified area to the total endplate area, compared with the OVX + PLF + V group. Note: *P < 0.05 vs. Sham + V group; ^▲ P < 0.05 vs. OVX + V group; ^# P < 0.05 vs. PLF + V group; ^■ P < 0.05 vs. OVX + PLF + V group