['Demineralized bone matrix (DBM) allografts are widely used in orthopaedic clinics. However, the biological impact on its osteoinductivity after its sterilization process by gamma irradiation is not well studied. Furthermore, little is known about the relationship between residual calcium levels on osteoinductivity.', 'We hypothesize that low-dose gamma irradiation retains the osteoinducitivity properties of DBM and causes ectopic bone formation.', 'A randomised animal trial was performed to compare tissue and molecular responses of low-dose (11\xa0kGy) gamma irradiated and non-irradiated human DBM at 6\xa0weeks post-intramuscular implantation using an athymic rat model. In addition, we correlated residual calcium levels and bone formation in gamma irradiated DBM.', 'A modified haematoxylin and eosin stain identified ectopic bony capsules at all implanted sites with no significant difference on the amount of new bone formed between the groups. Statistically significantly lower ratio of alkaline phosphatase expression over tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and/or cathepsin K expressions was found between the groups.'] Does 11 kGy gamma irradiated demineralized bone matrix enhance osteoclast activity?