title: Stereological studies on the epiphyseal growth plate in strontium-induced rickets. With special reference to the distribution of matrix vesicles.
abstract: Applying stereological principles, we recently demonstrated a matrix-vesicle distribution between the zones of the epiphyseal growth plate that is at variance with the generally accepted distribution. In the present study of strontium-induced rickets we demonstrated a similar bimodal distribution, the highest matrix-vesicle volume fraction being found in the resting and hypertrophic zones and the lowest, in the proliferative zone. These volume-fraction differences are due to differences in the number of vesicles between zones, the variation in mean diameter being rather small. The disturbed mineralization in strontium-induced rickets is associated with a diminished reduction of the matrix-vesicle volume fraction in the lower part of the growth plate compared with normal animals. The findings may indicate that matrix-vesicle removal is a part of the mineralization process, but a causal connection cannot be proved on the basis of our results. Our findings are, however, compatible with the earlier-posed cell-debris theory for matrix-vesicle origin and distribution.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006132:Growth Plate / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron / Q000379:methods; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012279:Rickets / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013324:Strontium / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D013324:Strontium