Two kinds of synthetic biomaterial, porous tricalcium phosphate (PTCP) and magnetic porous tricalcium phosphate (MPTCP) ceramic granules were implanted in rat femur. In the period of 4 months, the assessment of serial histological sections, scanning electron microphotographs and quantitative analysis of bone formation in the sections showed that both ceramics are biocompatible and degradable in vivo. More new bone formation occurred in the MPTCP group. Endochondral ossification was seen in both groups. The quantitative analysis in this study is reliable, and may be suitable to the similar experimental models.