Animal model of experimentally induced ectopic enchondral ossification in nude mice with xenograft of porcine epiphyseal cartilage

In a specific animal model the induction of heterologous enchondral ossific ation was examined in long term follow-up. Physiologically normal and devit alized frozen porcine epiphyseal cartilage as a control group were transpla nted as s.c. xenograft into athymic nude mice (nu/nu). 15 weeks after trans plantation the porcine growth plate cartilage showed the development of via ble cartilage tissue in the recipients, further differentiating to juvenile longe bone with epiphysis, diaphysis and growth plate. Porcine growth plat e cartilage increased s.c. in the recipient nude mice, showing enchondral o ssification without any physiological load, and finally an unexpected devel opment towards complete juvenile long bone.