Protocol for 3D digital dynamic histomorphometry of mouse bone via time-lapse registration of serial microCT scans
Serial in vivo microCT enables the quantification of dynamic bone remodeling by capturing formation and resorption over time. Here, we present a protocol to register pre- and post-intervention scans of rodent long bones through an intuitive drag-and-click workflow. We describe steps for rigid registration, enabling spatial mapping and quantification of formed, resorbed, and quiescent cortical and trabecular bone at periosteal and endosteal surfaces across multiple tibial regions. This protocol provides a non-destructive and complementary alternative to classic, fluorochrome-based dynamic histomorphometry.
Authors
- Nicole Migotsky (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8478-4281)
- Matthew J. Silva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7375-4522)
- Quentin A Meslier (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2283-2241)
- Erica L. Scheller (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1551-3816)
- Syeda N. Lamia (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6829-561X)
Institutions
- Washington University in St. Louis (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- STAR Protocols
- Published
- 2026-08-26
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xpro.2026.104787
- Primary Topic
- Advanced X-ray Imaging Techniques
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Foundation for the National Institutes of Health
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis