BACKGROUND: Both bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and calcium phosphate cement (CPC) have excellent osteogenic capability, so, it is possible to optimize osteogenic efficiency by combing BMP, CPC and freeze-dried dura mater (FDDM). OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of combined BMP-CPC-FDDM in segmental bone defects repairing. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: Randomization design and control animal observation were performed at the animal laboratory of the Guangxi Medical University from July 2006 to July 2007. MATERIALS: A total of 28 healthy, adult, New Zealand white rabbits, irrespectively of genders, weighting 1.5-2.5 kg. METHODS: Four rabbits were obtained dura mater. The remained 24 rabbits were randomly divided into 2 groups, with 12animals per group. A group: bilateral 10 mm segmental bone defects were produced in the radius of rabbits. One side defect was repaired with BMP-CPC-FDDM (BMP group). The other side was served as control group. B group: one side 10 mm segmental bone defects were produced in the radius of rabbits, and were repaired with bone marrow-CPC-FDDM (BM group). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: X-ray examinations were performed at weeks 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 after operation to observe the newly formed bone status. The samples were cut for the histology test and analysis of osteogenic area at weeks 2, 4, 8, and 12 after operation. RESULTS: The formed bone area of the BMP group was greater than the BM group at the weeks 4, 8 and 12 after operation (P < 0.05); but at the early period (week 2), the two groups had no obvious difference (P > 0.05). The osteogenic area of the BMP group and the BM group were better than the control group (P < 0.01). X-ray results demonstrated that bony callus moulding appeared obviously at weeks 10-12 in the BMP group. The pathological section revealed that maturate bone marrow could be seen at week 12 after operation, and the bone defect was connected with mature lamellar bone. CONCLUSION: The BMP-CPC-FDDMA has a good osteogenesis.