Cryopreservation of osteo-chondral grafts in rabbits

Abstract

To study the Cryopreservation of osteoarticular allografts, a lateral femoral condyle of the rabbit was transplanted fresh, after uncontrolled freezing to-80°C with 4 weeks preservation, and after freezing 1°C per min to-100°C in 10 per cent dimethylsulphoxide medium with 4-week storage in liquid nitrogen. Autografts were used as controls. After 3 months, the incorporation of the grafted bone was good in all technically successful cases. The NADH₂ diaphorase activity and ³⁵S sulphate uptake indicated well-functioning chondrocytes in all autografts. In the allografts, areas lacking enzyme activity and lacking ³⁵S uptake were observed in cartilages with otherwise normally functioning chondrocytes. No differences were found between the three allograft groups. We conclude that freezing permits reasonably good short-term bank preservation of cartilage. We found no difference between conventional freezing and controlled slow freezing with preservative.