The osteocyte is considered as a candidate of the mechanosensory cells in bone tissue. In order to understand the mechanosensory mechanism of osteocytes, it is essential to evaluate mechanical stimulation to osteocytes quantitatively as well as to observe biochemical response of osteocytes to mechanical stimulus. This study aimed to develop the method to evaluate and control mechanical stimulation to osteocytes. Microbeads coated with OB7.3 were attached to chick calvarial isolated osteocytes. Mechanical stimulus applied by pushing microbeads using a glass microneedle was successfully evaluated and controlled. Change in the intracellular Ca^<2+> concentration induced by localized mechanical stimulation by a microneedle was observed using a confocal laser-scanning microscope. Calcium signaling response was up-regulated by mechanical stimulation to proximal base of cell process, while it was not up-regulated by mechanical stimulation to cell body.
