FIGURE 5.

Histomorphometrical analysis of fractured femurs at day 21 after fracture. Analysis was performed of the entire fracture callus between the two fractured cortices (gap). (A) Whole callus tissue area, (B) relative bone area, (C) relative fibrous tissue area and (D) relative cartilage area in the whole fracture callus at day 21 after fracture as determined by Giemsa staining. (E) Representative images from Giemsa staining of the fracture callus. Scale bar = 500 μm. (F) Number of osteoblasts per bone perimeter and (G) osteoblast surface per bone surface in the bony fracture callus at day 21 after fracture as determined by Giemsa staining. (H) Schematic illustration of the region of interest (black box) for osteoclast and osteoblast analysis. (I) Representative images from Giemsa staining of the bony fracture callus. Scale bar = 50 μm. (J) Number of osteoclasts per bone perimeter and (K) osteoclast surface per bone surface in the bony fracture callus at day 10 after fracture as determined by TRAP staining. (L) Representative images from TRAP staining of the bony fracture callus. Scale bar = 50 μm. n = 6 per group. Results marked with ** represent 0.01 > p < 0.001.