OBJECTIVE This experimental study was aim to investigate the osteogenesis of ceramic-like xenogeneic bone (CXB) combining with bone marrow (BM). METHODS The CXB combining BM was implanted into the sacrospinalis muscle of rabbits, and CXB implanted alone was used as control. Eighteen Japanese rabbits with long ear were used. The size of CXB was 5 mm x 5 mm x 5 mm, and the implanted materials were taken out at 2, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 24 weeks after implantation. The histological and histochemical characteristics were investigated. RESULTS There existed cartilage and new bone in the groups of CXB combining BM in 2 weeks. Later, be cartilage turned out to the bone and in eight weeks the medullary cavity appeared. However, as the time went on, new bone formation increased and typical osteogenesis could be found. While in the groups of CXB alone, no formation of new bone or cartilage was found. CONCLUSION The implantation of CXB combined with BM could result in new bone formation in the way of osteoconduation, osteoinduction, and providing, osteoblasts or chondroblasts. It could be an ideal bone substitute, and its clinical use in future seemed very hopeful.