Protocol for assessing the structural architecture, integrity, and cellular composition of murine bone ex vivo.

Understanding changes in murine bone is essential to comprehend bone homeostasis and the role of therapeutics in bone diseases. Here, we present a protocol to assess the structural architecture, integrity, and cellular composition of murine bone ex vivo. We describe steps for imaging and analyzing bone by micro-computed tomography (CT) and functionally testing bone strength through three-point bending. We then detail procedures for histology and analysis of calcein labeling. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Lewis et al.(1).