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Histomorphometric study on growing condyle of rat.
The Bulletin of Tokyo Medical and Dental University
|March 1, 1986
Summary
Histomorphometric analysis of growing rat mandibular condyles revealed that cartilage thickness and endochondral bone formation rate decline with age. Concurrently, the proportion of bone tissue in the subchondral region steadily increases in aging rats.
Area of Science:
- Histomorphometry
- Developmental Biology
- Orthodontics
Background:
- Mandibular condyle growth is crucial for facial development.
- Understanding age-related changes in condylar bone is essential for diagnosing and treating craniofacial abnormalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To perform a histomorphometric assay on the mandibular condylar tissue of growing rats.
- To investigate age-related changes in condylar growth and tissue distribution.
Main Methods:
- Wistar rats (3-10 weeks old) received tetracycline and calcein injections.
- Ground sections of mandibular condyles were prepared for histomorphometry.
- Growth rate, bone, calcified cartilage, and prebone distribution were measured using fluorescent labeling and microscopy.
Main Results:
- Cartilaginous layer thickness and endochondral bone formation rate decreased with increasing age.
- The relative bone area in the subchondral tissue showed a constant increase with age.
- Osteoblast and osteoclast numbers were calculated, indicating age-related cellular changes.
Conclusions:
- Mandibular condylar growth, specifically endochondral ossification, slows down with age in rats.
- The increasing bone proportion suggests a shift in tissue remodeling dynamics during maturation.