Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 16, 2026
Culture of Murine Embryonic Metatarsals: A Physiological Model of Endochondral Ossification
Published on: December 3, 2016
Effect of zinc on bone metabolism in fetal mouse limb culture
1Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Huaxi School of Public Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Objective:
To determine the effects of zinc-deficiency and zinc-excess on bone metabolism.
Methods:
We developed the culture model of fetal mouse limbs (16th day) cultivated in self-made rotator with continuing flow of mixed gas for six days in vitro. The cultured limbs were examined by the techniques of 45Ca tracer and X-roentgenography.
Results:
The right limbs cultivated had longer bone length, higher bone density than the left limbs uncultivated from the same embryo; and histologically, the right limbs had active bone cell differentiation, proliferation, increased bone trabecula, clearly calcified cartilage matrix, and osteogenic tissue. Compared with the control group, the zinc-deficient group and zinc-excess (Zn2+ 120 mumol/L) group contained less osteocalcin (BGP) and 45Ca content, and lower AKP activity; whereas zinc-normal (Zn2+ 45 mumol/L and Zn2+ 70 mumol/L) groups contained more BGP and 45Ca contents, and higher AKP (alkaline phosphatase) activity.
Conclusion:
Both zinc-deficiency and zinc-excess can alter bone growth and normal metabolism. The results indicate that the culture model of fetal mouse limbs (16th day) in vitro can be used as a research model of bone growth and development.
