Abstract
Objective Several animal models have been used in fracture healing and bone graft studies,
but hematological responses are seldom reported. Therefore, the present study reported
the hematological changes observed in rabbits that underwent xenografting of caprine
demineralized bone matrix (CDBM).
Method Twenty-four (24) male rabbits (2.5 ± 0.5kg) were acquired for the purpose of this
study and were randomly assigned to three groups: autologous bone graft (ABG), unfilled
(NC), and caprine demineralized bone matrix (CDBM). Blood samples were collected through
cardiac puncture under xylazine-ketamine anesthesia on day 0 (baseline), and on days
28 and 56 postsurgery and were analyzed manually within 2 hours of collection. Statistical
analysis was performed using a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated
measures, and a p-value < 0.05 was considered significant.
Result There was an overall significant difference in the values of total white blood cell
count (p = 0.0043), neutrophil count (p < 0.0001), monocyte count (p = 0.0184), red blood cell count (p = 0.003), hemoglobin concentration (p < 0.0001) and packed cell volume (p < 0.0001) across the days and the treatment groups. There was, however, no overall
significant difference in lymphocyte count (p = 0.4923), basophil count (p = 0.4183), and eosinophil count (0.4806) within days.
Conclusion Response to CDBM grafting in rabbits could, therefore, be said to be characterized
by marked leukocytosis with neutrophilia, lymphocytosis, and monocytosis by day 28
of postgrafting. This could form the basis with which hematology can be used to monitor
body response of bone graft animal models.
Keywords
bone grafting - bone xenograft - experimental animal model - fracture healing - hematology
