Feasibility study of collagen membranes derived from bovine pericardium and intestinal serosa for the repair of cranial defects in ovariectomised rats

The indication of biomaterials has increased substantially in the regenerative therapy of bone defects. However, in addition to evaluating the physicochemical properties of biomaterials, the quality of the recipient tissue is also essential for the osseointegration of implants, as abnormalities in bone metabolism, such as gonadal hormone deficiency, can influence bone healing. This study evaluated the osteoregenerative capacity of collagen membranes derived from bovine pericardium and intestinal serosa in the repair of cranial defects in ovariectomised rats. Thirty female Wistar rats were submitted to surgical creation of a 5-mm cranial bone defect. The rats were divided into a control group (not ovariectomised) and an ovariectomised group. The non-ovariectomised group was divided into three subgroups: control (G1) in which the defect was not filled with the biomaterial, and two subgroups (G2 and G3) that received the bovine pericardium- and serosa-derived collagen membranes, respectively. The ovariectomised group was divided into the same subgroups (G4, G5, and G6). The animals were sacrificed 8 weeks after surgery. The calvaria were removed for macroscopic and radiographic photodocumentation and processed for histomorphometric analysis of bone healing at the surgical site. Macroscopic, radiological, and microscopic analyses demonstrated the biocompatibility of the implanted collagen membranes, as indicated by the absence of infiltration and signs of inflammation at the surgical site. Histologically, discrete immature bone neoformation projecting from the margins of the defect was observed at the surgical site in ovariectomised groups when compared to the non-ovariectomised groups. The volume of newly formed bone was significantly higher in the non-ovariectomised groups (G1: 7.83%±1.32; G2: 21.33%±1.96; and G3: 22.83%±0.98) compared to the respective ovariectomised subgroups (G4: 3.16%±0.75; G5: 16.83%±0.98; and G6: 16.16%±0.75), thus demonstrating the deleterious effects of ovariectomy on bone homeostasis. Higher volumes of newly formed bone were observed in the groups receiving the membrane grafts (G2, G3, G5, and G6) compared to the control groups (G1 and G4). In conclusion, the bilateral ovariectomy compromises the ability to repair bone lesions grafted with osteoconductive biomaterials as in the case of collagen membranes derived from both bovine pericardium and intestinal serosa.