Mesenchymal stromal precursor cells from human lipoaspirate (lMSC) cultured at 5% O(2) formed 50% less mineralized matrix in response to osteogenic induction than cells cultured under standard conditions (20% O(2)). After lMSC percultured at 5% O(2) were transferred to normoxic conditions (20% O(2)), they produced the same amount of matrix as lMSC permanently cultured at 20% O(2). Hence, hypoxia inhibited the commitment of lMSC under the effect of osteogenic stimuli, which can be important in reparative and regenerative medicine.