Effect of mineral dissolution from bone specimens on the viscoelastic properties of cortical bone.

Although physiological saline (0.15M NaCl aqueous solution) has been used as a storage solution to prevent bone specimens from drying, there have been reports that Ca(2+) ions dissolve from bone specimens during the storage in saline. In order to determine whether such storage has a marked effect on mechanical properties, the relaxation modulus of bovine cortical bone stored in physiological saline was compared with that stored in a buffer solution containing a sufficient amount of Ca(2+) ions.