Development of fetal trabecular micro‐architecture in the humerus and femur

Abstract

It is widely accepted that during postnatal development trabecular bone adapts to the prevailing loading environment via modelling. However, very little is known about the mechanisms (whether it is predominantly modelling or remodelling) or controls (such as whether loading influences development) of fetal bone growth. In order to make inferences about these factors, we assessed the pattern of fetal trabecular development in the humerus and femur via histomorphometric parameter quantification. Growth and development (between 4 and 9 months prenatal) of trabecular architecture (i.e. thickness, number and bone volume fraction) was compared across upper and lower limb bones, proximal and distal regions, and sexes. The data presented here indicate that during prenatal development trabeculae became thicker and less numerous, whilst bone volume fraction remained constant. This partly mimics the pattern of early postnatal development (0-2 years) described by other researchers. Thickness was reported to increase whilst number reduced, but bone volume fraction decreased. This is perhaps because the balance of bone modelling (deposition vs. resorption) changes post partum. Published histological data suggest that bone deposition slows after birth, while resorption rates remain constant. Hence, fetal development may be characterized by relatively high rates of modelling and, particularly, bone deposition in comparison to postnatal. With respect to measures of thickness, number and bone volume fraction prenatal development was not bone, site, or sex specific, whilst postnatally these measures of architecture diverge. This is despite reported developmental variation in the frequency, speed and amplitude of fetal movements (which begin after 11 weeks and continue until birth), and probably therefore loading induced by muscular contractions. This may be because prenatal limb bone micro-architecture follows a generalised predetermined growth trajectory (or genetic blueprint), as appears to be the case for gross distribution of trabecular tissue.

Ontogenetic changes to bone microstructure in an archaeologically derived sample of human ribs

“…Although mean values are lower in the rib than in the appendicular skeleton, our data are in general agreement. Studies often implicate a predetermined genetic blueprint rather than mechanical causative factors in early bone development (Cunningham & Black, ,b; Reissis & Abel, ), wherein the ‘gestational overproduction’ of bone tissue potentially serves to create a calcium reservoir for the growing infant (Acquaah et al ). Subsequent bone growth is more obviously related to changes in physiologic demand or the mechanical loading environment (Frost & Jee, ; Martin et al ; Carter & Beaupre, ; Currey, ).…”

The developing juvenile ischium: Macro‐radiographic insights

“…Over the last two centuries, the internal structure of human bone has been studied extensively in an effort to better understand the role of trabecular bone, its implications for biomechanical competency and the factors which influence the development of its micro‐architecture (von Meyer, ; Wolff, ; Sato et al, ; Tobin, ; Huiskes, ; Huiskes et al, ; Nuzzo et al, ; Agarwal et al, ; Macho et al, ; Cunningham and Black, ). A substantial number of these investigations have focused on a relatively limited range of skeletal elements, primarily the major long bones (von Meyer, ; Salle et al, ; Ryan and Krovitz, ; Perilli et al, ; Gosman and Ketcham, ; Kraus et al, ; Barvencik et al, ; Hammer, ; Ryan and Walker, ; Liu et al, ; Saparin et al, ; Reissis and Abel, ). More recently, there has been an expansion into regions of the skeleton previously neglected in terms of trabecular bone analysis, including weight‐bearing elements such as the ilium (Sato et al, ; Volpato et al, ; Cunningham and Black, ,b, 2010; Abel and Macho, ), vertebral bodies (Nuzzo et al, ; Rapillard et al, ), the calcaneus (Maga et al, ; Rupprecht et al, ) and the talus (Pal and Routal, ).…”

MicroCT Imaging of Red fox Talus: A Non‐Invasive Approach to Evaluate Age at Death

“…; Wolschrijn and Weijs ; Mulder et al . ; Reissis and Abel ). In the present paper, we find that the bone volume, trabecular thickness, connectivity and structure model index are well correlated age‐related parameters.…”

“…; Beaudet et al . ; Reissis and Abel ). From a zooarchaeological perspective, age‐related structural changes in bone development can be useful to estimate the age at death of cancellous bones, even without epiphysis, and to obtain information that is useful to understand animal management by past human communities.…”