The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the Co-60 γ irradiation on the osseointegration. 2.0 mm titanium alloy screw implants(Sankin Industry Co. Ltd., Japan) were placed in the tibial metaphysis of the rabbits, bilaterally. The mean length of the implants was 6.0 mm. The right tibia was irradiated with a single dose of 15Gy from 60Co teletherapic machine at 5th postoperative day. The experimental group was irradiated tibia. The control group was nonirradiated tibia. To observe the phase of bone formation, the bone labeling by intramuscular injection of 20mg/Kg of Tetracycline, Calcein, Alizarin red S, was performed. The rabbits were sacrificed on the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th week and the tibia including implants were taken, and then the specimens were examined by the microradiography, light microscopy, and fluorescent microscopy. The obtained results were as follows: 1. There were connective tissue between bone and titanium at 1st week, in both group. Especially, the many empty lacunae without nucleus and obscure cytoplasm in experimental group, were observed. 2. The osteons were observed at 4th week in control group, and at 6th week in experimental group. The bone formation in experimental group was retarded as compared to the control group. 3. In fluorescent microscopy, bone labelling band was observed as linear, arc or concentric shape. Occasionary interrupted labelling band was observed, which is demonstrated bone remodeling. 4. In microradiographic examination, the radiolucent image was found between bone and implant with widening of bone marrow spaces as compared to the control group.
