Abstract To investigate the ectopic new bone formation following implantation of bovine hydroxyapatite Bio-oss together with free periosteum, 12 chabb: ch rabbits were selected. In 10 rabbits, Bio-oss block together with free periosteum was implanted in the gastrocnemius muscle of one leg randomly, and Bio-oss block alone was implanted in the same muscle of the other leg. In the other 2 rabbits, the periosteum was implanted into the gastrocnemius musle of both legs. Histologic examination and quantitative analysis of newbone formation were performed at 3 and 6 weeks postoperatively. The results showed that in the legs implanted bovine hydroxyapatite Bio-oss together with freeperiosteum, new bone formation began at 5th day after implantation. The area ofnew bone composed of 19.0% of the specimens at 3 weeks postoperatively. No boneformation through out the experimental period in Bio-oss block alone implantedlegs and also periosteum implanted legs. We concluded that bovine hydroxyapatite Bio-oss has a good capacity of osteoconduction. New bone can be formed after the implantation of hydroxyapatite combined with free periosteum.