The value of histocompatibility matching in frozen bone allografts was
studied in a canine cancellous ulnar segmental-replacement model. Frozen
bone that was exchanged across strong and weak transplantation barriers was
evaluated histologically and radiographically at thirteen and twenty-six
weeks after grafting. Histological grading criteria quantified the type of
union at each end of the graft and the degree of remodeling of the marrow,
spongiosa, and compacta. Radiographic grading criteria included the
presence of union at each end of the graft and the degree of remodeling of
the graft segment. In vitro studies for serum antibody and cell-mediated
immunity were carried out by isotopic cytotoxicity methods at seven
intervals during the twenty-six-week study period. Histologically, the
strong-barrier allografts had fewer osseous unions and less reorganization
of spongiosa and marrow when compared with autograft controls at both
thirteen and twenty-six weeks. Radiographically, the strong-barrier
allografts at thirteen weeks had fewer unions and marked resorption of
grafts material when compared with autograft controls. There were no
differences between weak transplantation-barrier grafts and control
autografts radiographically or histologically at thirteen and twenty-six
weeks after grafting. Frozen bone allografts did not elicit detectable
serum antibody or lymphocytes that were cytotoxic for donor cells.