In vivo animal experimentation has been one of the cornerstones of biological and biomedical research, particularly in the field of clinical medicine and pharmaceuticals. The conventional in vivo model system is invariably associated with high production costs and strict ethical considerations. These limitations led to the evolution of an ex vivo model system which partially or completely surmounted some of the constraints faced in an in vivo model system. The ex vivo rodent bone culture system has been used to elucidate the understanding of skeletal physiology and pathophysiology for more than 90 years. This review attempts to provide a brief summary of the historical evolution of the rodent bone culture system with emphasis on the strengths and limitations of the model. It encompasses the frequency of use of rats and mice for ex vivo bone studies, nutritional requirements in ex vivo bone growth and emerging developments and technologies. This compilation of information could assist researchers in the field of regenerative medicine and bone tissue engineering towards a better understanding of skeletal growth and development for application in general clinical medicine. Cite this article: A. A. Abubakar, M. M. Noordin, T. I. Azmi, U. Kaka, M. Y. Loqman. The use of rats and mice as animal models in ex vivo bone growth and development studies. Bone Joint Res 2016;5:610–618. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.512.BJR-2016-0102.R2

Rebound growth after hemiepiphysiodesis may be a normal event, but little is known about its causes, incidence or factors related to its intensity. The aim of this study was to evaluate rebound growth under controlled experimental conditions.

A total of 22 six-week-old rabbits underwent a medial proximal tibial hemiepiphysiodesis using a two-hole plate and screws. Temporal growth plate arrest was maintained for three weeks, and animals were killed at intervals ranging between three days and three weeks after removal of the device. The radiological angulation of the proximal tibia was studied at weekly intervals during and after hemiepiphysiodesis. A histological study of the retrieved proximal physis of the tibia was performed.

The mean angulation achieved at three weeks was 34.7° (standard deviation (sd) 3.4), and this remained unchanged for the study period of up to two weeks. By three weeks after removal of the implant the mean angulation had dropped to 28.2° (sd 1.8) (p < 0.001). Histologically, widening of the medial side was noted during the first two weeks. By three weeks this widening had substantially disappeared and the normal columnar structure was virtually re-established.

In our rabbit model, rebound was an event of variable incidence and intensity and, when present, did not appear immediately after restoration of growth, but took some time to appear.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:862–8.

In order to evaluate the relationship between acetabular and proximal femoral alignment in the initiation and evolution of osteoarthritis of the dysplastic hip, the acetabular and femoral angles were calculated geometrically from radiographs of 62 patients with pre-arthrosis and early osteoarthritis. The sum of the lateral opening angle of the acetabulum and the neck-shaft angle was defined as the lateral instability index (LII), and the sum of the anterior opening angle of the acetabulum and the anteversion angle of the femoral neck as the anterior instability index (AII). These two indices were compared in dysplastic and unaffected hips. A total of 22 unilateral hips with pre-arthrosis were followed for at least 15 years to determine whether the two indices were associated with the progression of osteoarthritis. The LII of the affected hips (197.4 (. sd. 6.0)) was significantly greater than that of the unaffected hips (1830 (. sd. 6.9)). A follow-up study of 22 hips with pre-arthrosis showed that only the LII was associated with progression of the disease, and an LII of 196 was the threshold value for this progression

Malrotation of the femoral component is a cause of patellofemoral maltracking after total knee arthroplasty. Its precise effect on the patellofemoral mechanics has not been well quantified. We have developed an in vitro method to measure the influence of patellar maltracking on contact. Maltracking was induced by progressively rotating the femoral component either internally or externally. The contact mechanics were analysed using Tekscan. The results showed that excessive malrotation of the femoral component, both internally and externally, had a significant influence on the mechanics of contact. The contact area decreased with progressive maltracking, with a concomitant increase in contact pressure. The amount of contact area that carries more than the yield stress of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene significantly increases with progressive maltracking. It is likely that the elevated pressures noted in malrotation could cause accelerated and excessive wear of the patellar button.

While the evolution of the bony skeleton of the shoulder girdle is well described, there is little information regarding the soft tissues, in particular of the rotator cuff. We dissected the shoulders of 23 different species and compared the anatomical features of the tendons of the rotator cuff. The alignment and orientation of the collagen fibres of some of the tendons were also examined histologically. The behaviour of the relevant species was studied, with particular reference to the extent and frequency of forward-reaching and overhead activity of the forelimb. In quadrupedal species, the tendons of supraspinatus, infraspinatus and teres minor were seen to insert into the greater tuberosity of the humerus separately. They therefore did not form a true rotator cuff with blending of the tendons. This was only found in advanced primates and in one unusual species, the tree kangaroo. These findings support the suggestion that the appearance of the rotator cuff in the evolutionary process parallels anatomical adaptation to regular overhead activity and the increased use of the arm away from the sagittal plane

In an attempt to increase the life of cementless prostheses, an hydroxyapatite-coated implant which releases a bisphosphonate has been suggested as a drug-delivery system. Our in vitro study was designed to determine the maximum dose to which osteoblasts could be safely exposed.

Our findings demonstrated that zoledronate did not impair the proliferation of human osteoblasts when used at concentrations below 1 μm. Murine cells can be exposed to concentrations as high as 10 μm.

A concentration of 0.01% of titanium particles did not impair the proliferation of either cell line. Zoledronate affected the alkaline phosphatase activity of murine osteoblasts through a chelation phenomenon. The presence of titanium particles strongly decreased the alkaline phosphatase activity of murine osteoblasts. We did not detect any synergic effect of zoledronate and titanium particles on the behaviour of both human and murine osteoblasts.