Role of Organic Phosphate in Mineralization of Bone in vitro

Abstract

Calvarial periostea were dissected from 17-day-old embryonic chicks and folded with the osteogenic cells in apposition. The folded explains were cultured for up to six d on serum and plasma clots or in serum-free hormone-supplemented completely-defined medium. Osteoid consistently formed in such cultures in both types of media, and this osteoid mineralized when appropriate levels of β-glycerophosphate were added to each type of medium. The data presented suggest that the levels of organic phosphate might be more important than inorganic phosphates as a limiting factor in the initiation of mineralization of bone in vitro.