The elastogenetic process in transplants and cultures of isolated auricular chondrocytes.

Chondrocytes isolated from auricular cartilage of rabbits in the early postnatal period were transplanted intramuscularly into closely related animals and the reconstruction of cartilage and formation of elastic fibers monitored. Elastogenesis was most produced in transplants from younger donors. Auricular chondrocytes from 7 day old rabbits also produced elastic fibers in tissue culture, undergoing morphological changes similar to those occurring in vivo. The ability to form elastic fibers declined after prolonged cultivation.