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Bovine Cartilage Explant Culture

Tissue Procurement:  Bovine cartilage is derived from the metacarpalphalangeal joint (“knuckle”) of skeletally mature cows. Alternately cartilage can be harvested from the stifle joint (“knee”) or nasal septum for an additional procurement fee (please inquire).

Explant Processing: Full thickness cartilage slices are selected for explant production. Each explant is created with a biopsy punch, 3mm in diameter. Upon request, explants up to 6 mm may be available. All explants in a culture plate have uniform circumference. The thickness can vary, usually between 0.5 and 1 mm. Explants are distributed into multi-well plates or in bulk format in media supplemented with 10% FBS. The cultures are shipped overnight with cold packs.

Wet Weight Determination: Each explant is blotted and weighed using an analytical balance. Wet weights are reported in milligrams in an Excel spreadsheet. Wet weights can be used to normalize data during culture analysis.

Histology Service: A cartilage explant will be formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded and sectioned into slices 5 microns thick. Two unstained slides and one stained with H&E will be provided.  Additional shipping required.

Quality Control: Tested negative for fungal and bacterial contamination.