[Experimental studies on the factors of osteogenesis by transplantation of patellar cartilage framework in rats]

The cartilage framework of the patella in rats is capable of inducing ossification after homotransplantation in many various sites: muscle, thyroid, testicle, ovary, kidney, anterior chamber of the eye, etc. The frequency of ossification does not depend on the technical conditions of the transplant, but on the age of the donors and receivers; it approximates 84 p. cent when the two rats are three weeks old. It is close to 100 p. cent in case of autotransplant. It is non-existent in case of heterotransplantation. A cartilage that is killed by alcohol or cold, has no longer osteogenetic abilities, even if it is placed in contact with live cartilage. The transplant of patellar cartilaginous framework represents a model which may be used to study the factors responsible for physiological ossification as well as the effect of various experimental conditions on osteogenesis.