Validation of the Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane (CAM) Model for Biocompatibility Analysis of Biomaterials in the Context of the 3R-cascade: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The present study aimed to compare the tissue responses to biomaterials in the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model with those from the subcutaneous implantation model in rats at an early time point. It was especially investigated whether histopathological scoring according to DIN EN ISO 10993-6 is also possible after biomaterial implantation using the CAM model and to what extent the values differ from the data obtained from small animal experiments.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Implantation of a xenogeneic bone substitute using the CAM model for 24 h and subcutaneous implantation model in rats up to 10 days post implantation were conducted. Standardized histological and histopathological methods were used to apply for histopathological scoring according to DIN EN ISO 10993-6.

RESULTS

The histological analysis as well as the histo-pathological scoring revealed that the tissue responses to the xenogeneic bone substitute were completely comparable in both organisms with no visible or statistical differences.

CONCLUSION

We suggest that bioincompatible biomaterials can already be sorted out in the context of THE preclinical test phase. Such pre-testing before the required small animal tests might clearly contribute to the 3R-concept to reduce the number of animals (REDUCE).