Quantitative observation on teeth during calcium deprivation in rats.
Adult female rats were subjected to severe calcium deprivation by feeding them a calcium-deficient diet containing oxalate (Group A). Furthermore, pregnant and lactating animals were subjected to the same diet (Group B). The mandibular teeth were collected for ash determination and for linear measurements. The ash content of the growing incisors was only slightly reduced in Group A, while the reduction in Group B was 27%. Linear measurements demonstrated that the outer dimensions of the incisors were not affected by the calcium-depriving regimen in either group, while the inner dimensions (pulp cavity) were considerably increased in Group B due to reduced thickness of the dentin mantle. The daily dentin apposition in Group A did not deviate much from the control values, while in Group B it was severely reduced. The thickness of incisor enamel was unaffected by the calcium-depriving regimen. The ash content of the molars was normal in Group A, but slightly reduced in Group B.
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000172:deficiency*; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D003804:Dentin / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005260:Female; D007180:Incisor / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D007774:Lactation; D008963:Molar / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D010070:Oxalates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D014070:Tooth / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000254:growth & development
D010070:Oxalates; D002118:Calcium