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Histomorphometric and Microchemical Characterization of Maturing Dental Enamel in Rats Fed a Boron-Deficient Diet

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Abstract

Few reports are available in the literature on enamel formation under nutritional deficiencies. Thus, we performed a study to determine the effects of boron (B) deficiency on the maturing dental enamel, employing the rat continuously erupting incisor as the experimental model. Male Wistar rats, 21 days old, were used throughout. They were divided into two groups, each containing ten animals: +B (adequate; 3-mg B/kg diet) and −B (boron deficient; 0.07-mg B/kg diet). The animals were maintained on their respective diets for 14 days and then euthanized. The mandibles were resected, fixed, and processed for embedding in paraffin and/or methyl methacrylate. Oriented histological sections of the continuously erupting incisor were obtained at the level of the mesial root of the first molar, allowing access to the maturation zone of the developing enamel. Dietary treatment did not affect food intake and body weight. Histomorphometric evaluation using undecalcified sections showed a reduction in enamel thickness (hypoplasia), whereas microchemical characterization by energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry did not reveal alterations in enamel mineralization.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the US Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service USDA, ARS Extramural Agreement 58-5450-4N-F038.

The authors wish to acknowledge the technical assistance of Jim Lindlauf (USDA ARS, Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center) for animal diet preparation, Lic. Pablo Do Campo (IByME-CONICET) with confocal laser scanning microscopy, and Ing. Pedro Villagrán (LASEM–ANPCyT–UNSa–CONICET) with SEM–EDS.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Laboratory, National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA-Regional Noroeste), Argentina National Research Council (CONICET), A4408FTV, Salta, C1033AAJ, Argentina

    Luis A. Haro Durand & Alejandro A. Gorustovich

  2. Department of Developmental Biology, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Salta, A4408FVY, Salta, Argentina

    Rosa Vera Mesones

  3. ARS Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Grand Forks, 58202-9034, ND, USA

    Forrest H. Nielsen

  4. Research Laboratory, National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA-Regional Noroeste), Av. Reyes Católicos 1617 6C, A4408KRE, Salta, Argentina

    Alejandro A. Gorustovich

Authors
  1. Luis A. Haro Durand
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  2. Rosa Vera Mesones
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  3. Forrest H. Nielsen
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  4. Alejandro A. Gorustovich
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Correspondence to Alejandro A. Gorustovich.

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Haro Durand, L.A., Mesones, R.V., Nielsen, F.H. et al. Histomorphometric and Microchemical Characterization of Maturing Dental Enamel in Rats Fed a Boron-Deficient Diet. Biol Trace Elem Res 135, 242–252 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-009-8512-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-009-8512-9

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