Osteogenesis after Bone and Bone Marrow Transplantation: II. The Initial Cellular Events Following Transplantation of Decalcified Allografis of Cancellous Bone

An experimental study was done in rabbits to investigate the fate of allogeneic iliac cancellous bone, both non-decalcified and decalcified with hydrochloric acid, transplanted to a muscular site for up to 14 days. Some of the treated allografts were impregnated with autologous bone marrow cells, obtained from the femoral medulla by aspiration, and each was compared with allografts alone. Combined myelo-osseous grafts produced bone after 7 to 8 days implantation, as did marrow autografts alone. In addition non-decalcified implants stimulated the production of multinucleated giant cells. Three different types of wash solution were used but these did not influence the cell population seen, nor the new bone formation. It is concluded that the critical events in bone formation after transplantation occur less than 8 days after the transplantation and that marrow cells have osteogenic capacity. This has relevance to the clinical aspects of bone grafting.