Caprine Bone-Derived Biomaterials for Guided Bone Regeneration: A Comprehensive Review of Macroscopic and Histological Findings

Guided bone regeneration (GBR) is a key approach in oral and orthopedic reconstruction, relying on barrier membranes and graft materials to direct bone formation. While bovine and porcine xenografts dominate clinical use, caprine bone-derived biomaterials remain under-explored. This comprehensive review consolidates macroscopic and histological evidence on caprine bone-based grafts, focusing on demineralized bone matrix (DBM) and hydroxyapatite (HA) derivatives reported between 2019 and 2025. Database searches of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science identified relevant studies evaluating caprine materials’ physicochemical properties, in vitro biocompatibility, in vivo bone formation, and systemic responses. Results show that caprine DBM and HA exhibit favorable osteoconductivity and biocompatibility, producing progressive bone formation with histological features comparable to autograft under optimized processing. Variability in bone volume outcomes was linked to differences in material preparation and defect models. Transient hematological responses indicate the need for standardized sterilization and safety monitoring. The review highlights methodological gaps, including inconsistent histomorphometry, limited GBR-specific models, and lack of unified reporting. Standardized processing, combined imaging-histology protocols, and GBR-oriented large-animal studies are recommended to advance clinical translation of caprine xenografts as cost-effective alternatives to conventional grafts.