Ovariectomy delays alveolar wound healing after molar extractions in rats.
OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to investigate the morphological effects of the absence of estrogen on alveolar wound healing of young female rats after tooth extraction.


METHODS
A total of 60 4- to 6-week-old female rats underwent bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) or sham operations. Three weeks later, the first mandibular molars were extracted. Subsequently, the animals were killed by cervical dislocation 3, 5, 7, 14, 21, or 28 days after tooth extraction. The mandibles were removed, and serial transversal sections of mesial alveolus of the first mandibular molars were obtained for histometric analysis.


RESULTS
OVX sockets showed significant increases in fibroblasts and collagen content 3 and 5 days after the extractions, followed by significant decreases in these parameters in the subsequent periods. In accordance with the decreased collagen content in the latest period of healing, new bone formation was significantly reduced in the OVX animals.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that the initial molecular changes observed in the absence of estrogen lead to delayed alveolar wound healing.
Pereira
Michele Conceição
MC
Department of Oral Diagnosis, Dental School, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil.
Zecchin
Karina Gottardello
KG
Campagnoli
Eduardo Bauml
EB
Jorge
Jacks
J
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000818:Animals; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis; D004967:Estrogens / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000473:pathology; D008334:Mandible / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D008963:Molar / Q000601:surgery*; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D010052:Ovariectomy; D010053:Ovary / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013977:Tibia / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D020390:Tooth Socket / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
D004967:Estrogens; D003094:Collagen