Material Properties of Mice Femora

The purpose of this research is to observe the effects of activity and genetic influence on the material properties of mice femora using three-point bending. A generation from high runner mice was selected where in a group of these mice were given wheel access and the remaining were sedentary along with a control group that was sedentary. The left femora of females were obtained after natural death of the mice. The dimensions of femoral length, proximal width, distal width and mid diaphysial width were measure. To take into account the loading of stress during activity on the femoral neck, the femoral neck width and mid diaphysial width were compared. Three-point bending was then used to determine the elasticity of the femora with stress and strain at break