Strontium, lead and nickel incorporation into mouse calvaria in vitro

Incorporation of strontium, lead and nickel radioisotopes was studied in mouse calvaria in tissue culture. About 90% of the incorporated strontium and 5-12% of the lead were recovered in the mineral phase of the calvaria (hot acid soluble fraction), whereas the nickel was recovered mainly in the organic phase (hot alkali soluble fraction). Metabolic inhibition enhanced the incorporation, which indicated that the mineral metabolism of the calvaria comprised ionic exchange or secondary mineralization phenomenons independent of the activity of bone cells but, possibly, guided by a metabolically active bone membrane.