Abstract
Cartilage from the main beams and tines of deer antler was examined with the electron microscope. The material studied included prechondroblastic, chondroblastic and chondrocytic matrices. Ecdysial microfibrils (5–10 nm in diameter) were observed in the matrix of the prechondroblastic zone. These microfibrils and associated amorphous material were continuous with electron-dense material that probably represented extracellular units of collagen polymers. Matrix (proteoglycan) granules were first observed in the chondroblastic zone. They stained positively with colloidal iron and therefore probably represented proteinpolysaccharides. The matrix granules of the chondrocytic (unmineralized and mineralized) zone were twice the diameter of those in the chondroblastic zone. Matrix vesicles were present in all three stages of development. They were in contact with cellular extensions and also arose directly from cell membranes in the immature zones. As in somatic mineralizing cartilage, these vesicles served as the foci for early mineralization. The initial mineralization process was associated with the membrane of the vesicles.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alcock, N. S.: Calcification of cartilage. Clin. Orthop.86, 287–311 (1972)
Ali, S. Y., Sajdera, S. W., Anderson, H. C.: Isolation and characterization of calcifying matrix vesicles from epiphyseal eartilage. Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. (Wash.)67, 1513–1520 (1970)
Anderson, H. C.: Electron microscopic studies of induced cartilage development and calcification. J. Cell Biol.35, 81–101 (1967).
Anderson, H. C.: Vesicles associated with calcification in the matrix of epiphyseal cartilage. J. Cell Biol.41, 59–72 (1969).
Anderson, H. C., Sajdera, S. W.: The fine structure of bovine nasal cartilage. Extraction as a technique to study proteoglycans and collagen in cartilage matrix. J. Cell. Biol.49, 650–663 (1971).
Banks, W. J.: The ossification process of the developing antler in the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Calcif. Tiss. Res.14, 257–274 (1974).
Banks, W. J., Neal, J.: The cartilaginous nature of the cervine antler. Proc. EMSA 28th Ann. Meetings, p. 154–155 (1970)
Bennett, H. S., Luft, J. H.: s-Collidine as a basis for buffering fixatives. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol.6, 113–114 (1959)
Bonucci, E.: Fine structure of early cartilage calcification. J. Ultrastruct. Res.20, 33–50 (1967).
Bonucci, E.: Fine structure and histochemistry of “Calcifying Globules” in epiphyseal cartilage. Z. Zellforsch.103, 192–217 (1970)
Brandt, K. D., Muir, H.: Heterogeneity of protein-polysaccharides of porcine articular cartilage. The chondroitin sulphate proteins associated with collagen. Biochem. J.123, 747–755 (1971).
Campo, R. D.: Protein-polysaccharides of cartilage and bone in health and disease. Clin. Orthop.68, 182–209 (1970).
Campo, R. D., Phillips, S. J.: Electron microscopic visualization of proteoglycans and collagen in bovine costal cartilage. Calcif. Tiss. Res.13, 83–92 (1973).
Fahmy, A.: An extemporaneous lead citrate stain for electron microscopy. Proc. EMSA Ann. Meeting, vol. 25, p. 148–149 (1967).
Fahrenbach, W. Y., Sandberg, L. G.; Cleary, E. G.: Ultrastructural studies on early elastogenesis. Anat. Rec.155, 563, 576 (1966).
Frasier, M. B., Banks, W. J., Newbrey, J. W.: Characterization of developing antler cartilage matrix. I. Selected histochemical and enzymatic assessment. Calcif. Tiss. Res.17, 273–288 (1975).
Frederickson, R. G., Low, F. N.: The fine structure of perinotochordal microfibrils in control and enzyme-treated chick embryos. Amer. J. Anat.130, 347–376 (1971).
Godman, G. C., Porter, K. R.: Chondrogenesis, studied with the electron microscope. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol.8, 719–760 (1960).
Goss, R. J.: Problems in antlerogenesis. Clin. Orthop.69, 227–238 (1970)
Greenlee, T. K., Ross, R., Hartman, J. L.: The fine structure of elastic fibers. J. Cell Biol.30, 59–71 (1966)
Haust, M. D.: Fine fibrils of extracellular space (microfibrils). Amer. J. Path.47, 1113–1137 (1965).
Howell, D. S.: Review article—current concepts of calcification. J. Bone Jt Surg.53A (2), 250–258 (1971).
Jackson, D. S., Bentley, J. R.: Collagen-glycosaminoglycan interactions. In: Treatise of collagen, vol. 2, part A (G. N. Ramachandran, B. S. Gould, eds.), p. 434. New York: Academic Press 1968
Luft, J. H.: Improvement sin epoxy resin embedding methods. J. Biophys. Biochem. Cytol.9, 409–414 (1961)
Martin, A. V. W.: An electron, microscope study of the cartilaginous matrix in the developing tibia of the fowl. J. Embryol. exp. Morph.2, 38–48 (1954)
Mathews, J. L., Martin, J. H.: Atlas of human histology and ultrastructure, p. 382. Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger 1971
Mathews, M. B.: Biophysical aspects of acid mucopolysaccharides relevant to connective tissue structure and function. Biochem. J.96, 710–716 (1965)
Matukas, V. J., Krikos, G. A.: Evidence for changes in protein polysaccharide associated with the onset of calcification in cartilage. J. Cell Biol.39, 43–48 (1968)
Matukas, V. J., Panner, B. J., Orbison, J. L.: Studies on ultrastructural identification and distribution of protein-polysaccharide in cartilage matrix. J. Cell Biol.32, 365–377 (1967)
Millonig, G.: Advantages of a phosphate buffer for osmium tetroxide solutions in fixation. J. appl. Phys.32, 1637 (1961)
Modell, W., Noback, C. V.: Histogenesis of bone in the growing antler of the cervidae. Amer. J. Anat.49, 65–96 (1931).
Myers, D. B., Highton, T. C., Rayns, D. G.: Acid mucopolysaccharides closely associated with collagen fibrils in normal human synovium. J. Ultrastruct. Res.28, 203–213 (1969).
Newbrey, J. W., Banks, W. J.: The ultrastructure of mature and mineralizing cartilaginous matrix in deer antler. Proc. EMSA 31st Ann. Meetings, p. 354–355. Baton Rouge: Claitor’s 1973
Olson, M. D., Low, F. N.: The fine structure of developing cartilage in the chick embryo. Amer. J. Anat.131, 197–216 (1971).
Quintarelli, G., Dellovo, M. C., Balduini, C., Castellani, A. A.: The effects of the alpha amylase on collagen-proteoglycans and collagen-glycoprotein complexes in connective tissue matrices. Histochemie18, 373–375 (1969)
Richardson, K. C., Jarret, L., Fink, E. H.: Embedding in epoxy resins for ultrathin sectioning in electron microscopy. Stain Technol.35, 313–323 (1960)
Sabatini, D. D., Bensch, K. G., Barnett, R. J.: Preservation of ultrastructure and enzymatic activity of aldehyde fixation. J. Histochem. Cytochem.10, 652–653 (abstract) (1962)
Sabatini, D. D., Bensch, K. G., Barnett, R. J.: Cytochemistry and electron microscopy. The preservation of cellular ultrastructure and enzymatic activity by aldehyde fixation. J. Cell Biol.17, 19–58 (1963).
Sayegh, F. S., Solomon, G. C., Davis, R. W.: Ultrastructure of intracellular mineralization in the deer’s antler. Clin. Orthop.99, 267–284 (1974).
Schenk, R. K., Spiro, D., Wiener, J.: Cartilage resorption in the tibial epiphyseal plate of growing rats. J. Cell Biol.34, 275–291 (1967).
Schubert, M., Pras, M.: Ground substance proteinpolysaccharides and the precipitation of calcium phosphate. Clin. Orthop.60, 235–255 (1968).
Smith, J. W., Serafini-Fracassini, A.: The distribution of the proteinpolysaccharide complex in the nucleus pulposus matrix in young rabbits. J. Cell Sci.3, 33–40 (1968).
Wislocki, G. B., Weatherford, H. L., Singer, M.: Osteogenesis of antlers investigated by histological and histochemical methods. Anat. Rec.99, 265–295 (1947).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Newbrey, J.W., Banks, W.J. Characterization of developing antler cartilage matrix. Calc. Tis Res. 17, 289–302 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02546601
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02546601