Immunohistochemical study on the effect of vitamin C deficiency and ovariectomy on the rat mandibular condyle

Abstract

I examined the effect of vitamin C deficiency and ovariectomy on the mandibular condyles.Eight-week-old female Wistar rats and non-ascorbate-synthesizing Osteogenic Disorder Shionodi(ODS)rats were divided into an ovariectomized group and a control group and sacrificed at 2, 4, and 6 weeks after operation.The mandibular condyles were investigated histologically and immunohistochemically using polyclonal antibodies for types I, II and X collagen.We found that vitamin C deficiency caused weakening of the bone and cartilage and disruption of endochondral ossification in the condylar cartilage.Ovariectomy accelerated these effects when done in combination with vitamin C deficiency.