Formation of hydroxyapatite in water, Hank's solution, and serum at physiological temperature

The influence of de-ionized water, Hank's saline solution, and bovine calf serum on formation of stoichiometric (Ca/P = 1.67) hydroxyapatite (SHAp) at physiological temperature was studied. SHAp formed in aqueous solution by acid-base reaction of particulate Ca(H(2)PO(4))(2).H(2)O and Ca(4)(PO(4))(2)O. Hydroxyapatite formation is accompanied by an initial period of surface hydration of the precursors, an induction period, and a period during which the bulk of the conversion to hydroxyapatites occurs. The formation of SHAp occurred more rapidly in Hank's solution and distilled water than in serum. The formation of SHAp from these precursors is strongly inhibited by serum. There were two primary exothermal events associated with SHAp formation: initial heat evolution peak, which was associated with reactant dissolution, and the major heat evolution peak, which was associated with SHAp formation. The presence of the constitutents in serum depresses both. This is a result of serum macromolecules adsorbing onto the available surfaces regardless of whether they are reactants or products. Variations in heat evolution behavior, pH, and the times of disappearance of the reactants and appearance of SHAp correlate with one another.