[Morphogenesis and structure of teleost teeth (Salmo fario L.)]

Tooth formation has been studied in the fry and adult trout (Salmo fario L.) in order to describe their structure and investigate the links between histogenetic and architectural features. Odontoblasts show typical polarized kinetics during their activity; they shrink back from the tooth wall they have elaborated, without leaving any cytoplasmic process (Tomes' fibres); so the dentine in a characteristic way lacks any cellular or canalicular inclusion, at any stage of its development. The tooth as a whole grows from an apical to basal direction; its organic matrix is formed of coarse fibres from the pulp, and fine collagenous fibres formed by the odontoblastic layer. These various fibrillar systems assume definite orientations. Mineralization was studied by fluorescent markers and microradiography. The external apical part of the tooth is hypermineralized, but its structure and pattern of deposition would make it closer to a dentinal differentiation (enameloid) than to an ectodermal enamel. The ameloblasts of the inner epithelium are high, very polarized and active cells, but their participation in tooth tissue formation has not been definitely demonstrated.