Jeremy M. LaMothe, Calgary, AB
Ronald F. Zernicke, Calgary, AB

Bones can adapt in response to mechanical stimuli; higher rates of loading have been associated with greater bone formation rates. This study determined where bone accretion was localized in response to high loading rates. Non-invasive loads were applied to mice tibiae at one of three rates for 4 wk. It was found, via calcein labels, that adaptation on the periosteal, but not endosteal, surface exhibited a dose-response relation with loading rate; periosteal and endosteal adaptation was localized to regions of high strain gradients. Understanding the stimuli bone responds to may underpin the development of non-pharmacological treatments to enhance bone mass.