Histology of constructs pre-implantation and post-implantation.

<p>Solid and channelled constructs were subjected to 5 weeks culture in chondrogenic conditions, followed by 1 week of culture in hypertrophic conditions, and then implanted subcutaneously into nude mice to be harvested at 4 weeks and 8 weeks post-implantation. Constructs were stained with alcian blue, picro-sirius red and alizarin red to assess sGAG, collagen, and calcium accumulation respectively. 8 weeks post-implantation samples were decalcified prior to histological analysis, hence alizarin red staining was not undertaken at this time point. Images show half the construct. Scale bars are 500 µm.