To study the effect of ceftezole Na on the matrix of femoral epiphyseal plates.

Rats were intraperitoneally injected with ceftezole Na (1500 mg/kg B.W) was every day for a week. The specimens obtained from the femoral head were stained with alcian blue (pH 2.5)-P.A.S. to detect the distribution of acid and neutral mucopolysaccharides, and ultrastructural studies for growth plates were also performed.

We found that interterritorial and territorial matrices of treatment groups were weakly stained than that of control groups and dilatation and sacculation were observed in rough endoplasmic reticulums in the chondrocyte of the treated group.

According to the histochemical and ultrastructural research, ceftezole Na induces a decrease in mucosubstances in the chondrocytes of growth plate.