Calcium response in osteocytic networks under steady and oscillatory fluid flow

► Intracellular calcium signaling of osteocytes is dependent on the profiles of mechanical stimulation. ► Osteocytic networks are more responsive to steady fluid flow than to oscillatory fluid flow. ► Responsive percentages of osteocytes have no significant difference under steady and oscillatory flows. ► Spatiotemporal characters of the calcium signaling transients in osteocytes vary significantly under different flow profiles. ► Endoplasmic reticulum calcium store, extracellular calcium source, and ATP pathways are critical for calcium signaling of osteocytes.