Histomorphometric studies show that bone formation and bone mineral apposition rates are greater in C3H/HeJ (high-density) than C57BL/6J (low-density) mice during growth.

High-density C3H/HeJ (C3H) and low-density C57BL/6J (B6) mice, with femoral bone density differing by 50%, were chosen as a model to investigate the mechanisms controlling peak bone density and to map peak bone density genes. The present longitudinal study was undertaken to further establish the bone biologic phenotypes of these two inbred strains of mice. To evaluate phenotypic differences in bone formation parameters in C3H and B6 mice between the ages of 6 and 26 weeks, undecalcified ground sections from the diaphyses of the tibia and femur were prepared from mice receiving two injections of tetracycline. Histomorphometric analyses revealed that the cortical bone area was significantly greater (16%-56%, p < 0.001) in both the femur and tibia of the C3H mice than in the B6 mice at all timepoints. This difference in cortical bone area was due to significantly smaller medullary areas in the C3H mice than in the B6 mice. The bone formation rates (BFR) at the endosteum in both the femur and tibia were significantly greater (28%-117%,p < 0.001) in the young C3H mice (6-12 weeks old) than in B6 mice. The higher bone formation in C3H mice was associated with higher values of the bone mineral apposition rate (25%-94%, p < 0.001), and was not associated with higher values of the forming surface length as measured by tetracycline label length. Similar interstrain differences in mineral apposition and bone formation rates were observed in the periosteum of the femur and tibia. In conclusion, the greater bone area in the high-density C3H mice vs. the low-density B6 mice was, in part, due to the greater periosteal and endosteal bone formation rates during growth in the C3H mice. Because the C3H and B6 mice were maintained under identical environmental conditions (diet, lighting, etc.), the observed interstrain differences in bone parameters were the result of the action of genetic factors. Consequently, these two inbred strains of mice are suitable as a model to identify genetic factors responsible for high bone formation rates.