Divalent Cation Ionophores Stimulate Resorption and Inhibit DNA Synthesis in Cultured Fetal Rat Bone

Two divalent cation ionophores, A23187 and Ionomycin, which are selective for calcium, stimulated the resorption of fetal rat long bones in organ culture at 0.1 to 1 micromolar but not at higher concentrations. Both agents inhibited DNA synthesis at concentrations that stimulated resorption. These results might explain the differences in ionophore effects on bone previously reported, and they imply that cell replication is not required for osteoclast formation in fetal rat long bone cultures.