Effect of hypocalcemic state on enamel formation in rat maxillary incisors.

• Several authors have proposed that hypocalcemia can interfere with amelogenesis, resulting in enamel aberrations. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to study the effects of a diet-induced hypocalcemic state in young rats on enamel formation of the maxillary incisors. The experimental rats were fed a special diet, free from vitamin D and very low in calcium. The control rats were fed a normal diet. The experimental period was 3 wk. After termination, the blood analysis showed that the experimental rats had developed hypocalcemia with very low values of both total and ionized blood calcium. The experimental rats were smaller than their controls after 3 wk, with smaller skulls and teeth. At the light microscope level, the enamel and the ameloblasts did not seem to be affected, except in one rat, the smallest, which showed enamel hypoplasias in both maxillary incisors and a delayed increase of the mineral content during the maturation stage process. It is concluded that the hypocalcemic state induced did not greatly affect enamel formation. However, occasional enamel aberrations may occur.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Odontologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Dentistry (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Ameloblasts

cytology

Amelogenesis

physiology

Animals

Calcium

blood

deficiency

Dental Enamel

anatomy & histology

chemistry

Dental Enamel Hypoplasia

etiology

pathology

physiopathology

Dentin

anatomy & histology

Hypocalcemia

blood

physiopathology

Incisor

anatomy & histology

Male

Maxilla

Minerals

chemistry

Osteogenesis

physiology

Rats

Rats

Sprague-Dawley

Skull

anatomy & histology

growth & development

Tooth Calcification

physiology

Vitamin D Deficiency

physiopathology

Weight Gain

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)