INAA application in the age dynamics assessment of Ca, Cl, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P and Sr in the cortical bone of human femoral neck

The effect of age and sex on eight elements in cortical bone of femoral neck of 78 relatively healthy 15-55 years old women (n = 33) and men (n = 45) was studied. Mass fraction of Ca, Cl, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, and Sr in intact bone samples were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis using short-lived radionuclides. The obtained results were in good agreement with the literature data with the exception of Mn and Sr. The mean value of Mn mass fraction was an order of magnitude lower and Sr mean mass fraction was in 1.5-5 times higher than the reference values. No age- and sex-related differences in bone composition were detected. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.