Effects of granule size on the osteoconductivity of bovine and synthetic hydroxyapatite: a histologic and histometric study in dogs.

Two bovine hydroxyapatites (BHAs), one with granule size of 150 to 200 microm and one with granule size of 300 to 329 micro, and 2 synthetic hydroxyapatites (SHAs), with granule size of 150 and 300 microm, respectively, were compared for effectiveness in repairing circumferential bone defects in dogs. The hydroxyapatites (HAs) were characterized through powder x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Three trephined bone defects (5.0 mm wide x 4 mm long) were created in the humeruses of 8 dogs. In a random manner, the defects on each side were treated with either BHA with small granules (BHA[s]), BHA with large granules (BHA[L]), SHA with small granules (SHA[s]), SHA with large granules (SHA[L]), or left to heal unaided (bilateral control). Four dogs were sacrificed after 6 and 12 postoperative weeks, respectively. Ground sections of each defect were submitted to histologic and histomorphometric analysis (percentage of area occupied by bone, bone marrow, and biomaterial). As a rule, the HA granules exhibited direct bone contact, regardless of the origin and the size of the granules. Control sites were related and had an increased amount of connective tissue infiltration. At 12 weeks, BHA(s) exhibited improved bone formation compared with SHA(s) and SHA(L). The SHA(s) delivered reduced amounts of bone compared with the remaining groups (control included). The area of bone measured in BHA(s) sites was significantly higher at 12 weeks than 6 weeks. The XRD revealed the tested HA samples to be highly crystalline, while BHA appeared with rougher surface at SEM analysis. The BHA(s) performed better than the SHA(s) and SHA(L), as assessed by the amount of bone measured in both implantation sites at 12 weeks. The BHA's material characteristic itself rather than granules size accounted for the distinctive biological behavior. The increased roughness of the BHAs' surface, as assessed through SEM, seemed to benefit the osteoconduction process.

Mechanical properties of bovine hydroxyapatite (BHA) composites doped with SiO2, MgO, Al2O3, and ZrO2.

Biologically derived hydroxyapatite from calcinated (at 850 degrees C) bovine bones (BHA) was doped with 5 wt% and 10 wt% of SiO(2), MgO, Al(2)O(3) and ZrO(2) (stabilized with 8% Y(2)O(3)). The aim was to improve the sintering ability and the mechanical properties (compression strength and hardness) of the resultant BHA-composites. Cylindrical samples were sintered at several temperatures between 1,000 and 1,300 degrees C for 4 h in air. The experimental results showed that sintering generally occurs at 1,200 degrees C. The BHA-MgO composites showed the best sintering performance. In the BHA-SiO(2) composites, extended formation of glassy phase occurred at 1,300 degrees C, resulting in structural degradation of the resultant samples. No sound reinforcement was achieved in the case of doping with Al(2)O(3) and zirconia probably due to the big gap between the optimum sintering temperatures of BHA and these two oxides.