Osteoclastic invasion and mineral resorption of fetal mouse long bone rudiments are inhibited by culture under intermittent compressive force.

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.