COMPENSATORY GROWTH IN THE RAT TIBIA

When the proximal cartilage plate of one tibia of a rat is sterilized by radiation, compensatory growth occurs at the distal plate of the same bone. This growth is marked by small changes in the cell kinetic parameters and histology of the growth cartilage when compared with the distal cartilage plate in the unirradiated tibia. The changes are consistent with a delay in the maturation of the plate showing compensatory growth. Some possible mechanisms are considered, but the evidence available at present does not give decisive support to any particular theory.