Osteoclastic Invasion and Mineral Resorption of Fetal Mouse Long Bone Rudiments are Inhibited by Culture Under Intermittent Compressive Force

Abstract

To study the effect of low-magnitude mechanical stimuli on mineralized matrix metabolism, fetal mouse long bone rudiments were cultured for 5d in the absence or presence of intermittent (0.3 Hz) compressive force (ICF) of 132 g/cm². ICF treatment stimulated mineralization of the diaphyseal bone collar as well as hypertrophic cartilage, but inhibited the release of ⁴⁵Ca from prelabeled rudiments. ICF also inhibited the migration of osteoclasts and their precursors from the periosteum into the diaphysis and the subsequent excavation of a primitive marrow cavity.

These data suggest that osteoclasts are sensitive to mechanical stimuli. Mechanical stimulation seems to protect the bone rudiment against osteoclastic attack and has a strong anabolic effect on mineral metabolism.