Cell production in the normal and lathyrogenic rat periodontal ligament (PDL)

Thirty male albino rats weighing 200 g. each were separated into two groups. 15 rats received 0.2% 3-amino propionitrile fumarate (BAPN) in drinking water. 15 rats served as controls. Within three weeks eruption rate diminished by 50%. On the 22nd experimental day each rat received one dose of 1 microCi/g. body weight tritiated thymidine (1.9 Ci/mM). 5 rats of each group were then killed after 1 hour; 1 week and 2 weeks. The PDL cell migration rate was evaluated autoradiographically. It diminishes proportionally with the eruption rate. In the BAPN treated animals, the mean total periodontal ligament (PDL) cell count is 55.5% higher than that of the control.