Micro-computed tomography assessment of trabecular bone adaptation upon loading frequency: mi-CT - an open repository for micro-computed tomography data

Abstract

Bone is a rigid, metabolically active connective tissue providing structural support, facilitating movement, and protecting vital organs. Systematic monitoring and understanding of bone structure and function require various technologies; one of the most widely used imaging technologies is micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Due to the large size of the micro-CT images and privacy concerns it is often impossible to make them publicly accessible. Here, we initiate FAIR principles that are a findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable approach to one of the micro-CT case studies (doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2020.566346) for open access. This study aimed to investigate whether trabecular bone mechano-regulation in female mice is controlled by mechanical signals in the local in vivo environment and dependent on loading frequency. Specifically, by combining in vivo micro-CT imaging with micro-finite element (micro-FE) analysis, the changes in microstructural as well as the mechanical in vivo environment of mouse caudal vertebrae over 4 weeks of either cyclic loading at varying frequencies of 2, 5, or 10 Hz, respectively, or static loading, were monitored.