Ultrastructural and microanalytical aspects of developing osteodentin in rat incisors

Summary

Newly formed osteodentin obtained from the anterior extremities of fetal or young rat incisors was observed by means of electron microscopy and electron probe X-ray microanalysis. Cells related to osteodentin formation frequently showed membrane bound intracellular bodies containing varying amounts of fine, needle-shaped crystals, which were identified as apatite. The intracellular clusters of apatite crystals were extruded from the cells through membrane fusion or cellular degeneration. These extracellular clusters seemed to be gradually incorporated into the mineralizing collagenous matrix, which developed around them. Frequent occurrence of dense, dotshaped or filamentous profiles suggested that the dense bodies seen in the perinuclear regions or in the Golgi area were the sites of crystal formation.

Energy dispersive X-ray point analysis showed that the intracellular or extracellular apatite clusters contained sulfur in a concentration higher than was present in the mineralizing collagenous matrix. Furthermore, wave dispersive X-ray line analysis showed that the concentration of sulfur was higher in the osteodentin matrix than in the dentin matrix. The sulfur detected is presumed to be contained in acid mucopolysaccharides, which were distributed more heavily in the osteodentin matrix than in the dentin matrix. On the basis of these data, it was concluded that the unique chemical and structural characteristics of the osteodentin result primarily from the incorporation of apatite clusters of intracellular origin and associated acid mucopolysaccharides.