In order to avoid the potential risks of disease transmission in allograft surgery, numerous substitute materials have been described. As the biological response to implant materials is different, we undertook the following study to assess type and amount of bone ingrowth in CaP-ceramics. 105 cylindrical bone defects with a diameter of 5.4 mm were created surgically in the femoral condyles of 53 skeletal mature NZW rabbits. The defects were filled with crushed coralline hydroxyapatite (HA) implants (n = 21), synthetically produced hydroxyapatite (n = 21) and surface-modified alpha-Tricalciumphosphate (TCP) grains (n = 21). 21 defects were left empty and other drill holes were filled with rabbit cancellous bone cylinders (n = 21) after 3 months of cryopreservation at -78 degrees C without sterilization. Following observation periods of 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 26 and 52 weeks the femoral condyles were harvested for histological evaluation and quantitative analysis of bone ingrowth. Woven bone formation at implant periphery can be observed in all substances as early as 2 weeks postoperatively. At 4-week-intervals cryopreserved allografts show new bone apposition on surfaces of necrotic trabeculae and graft-host junctions by a predominantly osteoblastic reaction at the periphery of all cylinders, while in HA- and TCP-grains early bone formation in the center of drill holes is detectable as well. There is a direct contact between HA-/TCP-particles and newly formed bone without fibrous tissue formation at the implant surfaces. Central new bone formation in rabbit allografts can be observed after 6 to 8 weeks together with a secondary osteoclastic resorption of necrotic transplant trabeculae. The result of this remodeling process is a complete degradation of transplant cylinders with reorganization of vital trabeculae oriented in a mature pattern after 12 to 26 weeks. In contrast the HA- and TCP-implants did not show any signs of resorption.