Primary Bone Formation in Porous Hydroxyapatite Ceramic: A Light and Scanning Electron Microscopic Study

Authors

M. Okumura, Nara Medical University
H. Ohgushi, Nara Medical University
S. Tamai, Nara Medical University
E. C. Shors, Nara Medical University

Abstract

Porous hydroxyapatite ceramics combined with rat marrow cells were implanted subcutaneously in the back of syngeneic Fischer rats . Fluorochrome-labeling (calcein, tetracycline) was performed post-operatively and the ceramics were harvested 4 weeks after implantation. Undecalcified thin sections of the implants were observed under light microscopy or fluoromicroscopy and the corresponding areas were also analyzed in a scanning electron microscope connected to an electron probe microanalyzer (SEM-EPMA). Many pore areas of the ceramics showed bone and osteoid formation together with active osteoblasts. The bone formation began directly on the surface of the ceramic and proceeded in a centripetal direction towards the center of the pores. SEM-EPMA analysis revealed continuous high levels of calcium and phosphorus in bone/ceramic interface and a gradual decrease of these levels in the osteoid region. These results indicate that the interaction between osteoblasts and ceramic surface resulted in bone formation.

Recommended Citation

Okumura, M.; Ohgushi, H.; Tamai, S.; and Shors, E. C. (1991) "Primary Bone Formation in Porous Hydroxyapatite Ceramic: A Light and Scanning Electron Microscopic Study," Cells and Materials: Vol. 1: No. 1, Article 4.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cellsandmaterials/vol1/iss1/4