Aryl sulfatase activity in mouse molar odontogenesis

Arylsulfatase activity has been studied in the developing molar of the Swiss albino mouse from the lamina stage to the appositional stage. Timed-pregnant Swiss albino mice were utilized in this study. Females were sacrificed by ether anesthesia and fetuses extirpated or newborns anesthetized and decapitated. Frozen sections were fixed and incubated for arylsulfatase activity according to a modification of the method of PEARSE (1972). The tissue was dehydrated, cleared and covered. Phase light microscopy was utilized in evaluating arylsulfatase activity in the developing molar. Arylsulfatase activity was evaluated for each stage of development and the results presented in tabular form. The present investigation represents the first known effort to describe arylsulfatase activity in odontogenic tissues from the initiation of the dental lamina through the appositional stage. Arylsulfatase activity appeared to be related to the degree of vascularization of the developing enamel organ and adnexa and the beginning of hard tissue elaboration.