ABSTRACT
To clarify changes in bone tissue and osteogenetic ability after preservation under
conditions of cold ischemic, a series of experiments were carried out using a rat
model. Animals were grouped as follows: a group of 11 rats whose amputated legs were
preserved in Euro-Collins solution at 4° C for 24 hr and then transferred to the corresponding
site of a different genetically similar rat; a group of seven animals whose amputated
legs were preserved for 48 hr under the same conditions and transferred in the same
way; and a control group of 11 animals whose legs were amputated and the femoral artery
and vein left intact. After triple fluorochrome bone labeling of specimens obtained
from all rats of these groups, decalcified and undecalcified sections were prepared
and examined. In the cortical bone, ischemia led to spongy and irregular proliferation,
increased lacunae, and decreased bone marrow cells and the bone marrow circulation
was assumed to be more markedly impaired than the periosteal circulation. On fluorochrome
bone labeling, specimens of the transfers preserved for 24 hr resembled those on the
unoperated side, despite notable partial periosteal bone proliferation. In contrast,
bone proliferation was obscure and irregular in specimens preserved for 48 hr. Bone
morphology was well maintained, together with osteogenetic ability, after 24-hr preservation
in Euro-Collins solution at 4° C, although this was not possible after 48-hr preservation.
