FIG. 3.

Biochemical properties of both construct groups (Bone Marrow and Cord Blood) and Native Tissue or equine AC-derived tissue (Chondrocytes) in the case of alkaline phosphatase activity. One-way ANOVAs were performed for all assays except Cellularity using p < 0.05 for statistical significance; letters above the bars show statistical significance between groups. Hydration did not differ significantly between Native Tissue and Bone Marrow, while Cord Blood had significantly higher hydration than both groups (A). Collagen/WW basis was significantly higher in Bone Marrow compared to Cord Blood, but both construct groups were significantly lower than Native Tissue (B). GAG/WW was significantly higher in Cord Blood compared to Bone Marrow; however, both of these groups were lower than Native Tissue (C). Cord Blood constructs produced alkaline phosphatase at levels comparable to that of constructs derived from passaged equine ACs. Bone Marrow constructs produced significantly higher levels suggesting a further progression in hypertrophy (D). Cellularity was compared using a Student's t-test with p < 0.05 as statistical significance; the starred bar shows statistical significance between groups. Cord Blood constructs contained more cells than Bone Marrow constructs despite an equal initial seeding density of 2 million cells per construct (E). AC, articular chondrocyte; WW, wet weight.