Light and ultrastructural relationship between oxytalan fibers in the periodontal ligament of the guinea pig

Abstract

The interfaces and the relationships between collagen and oxytalan fibers were observed d light and electron microscopy. Guinea pig periodontal ligament was prepared for light and electron microscopy with perfusion using Peter's buffered formalin for light microscopy and GTA‐S‐collidine and OSO4 for electron microscopic studies. The tissue for light microscopy was stained with a modified Gomori's aldehyde fuchsin technique, in which pre‐oxidization with potassium monopersulfate was carried out before staining so as to demonstrate the oxytalan fibers. EM tissues were routinely stained with lead citrate and uranyl acetate. Two different structural relationships were observed. First, the subcomponents of the collagen and oxytalan fiber types interweave with each other; and, second, some of these two‐fiber subcomponents appear attached to each other. These relationships and the known orientation of oxytalan fibers as seen in the periodontal ligament provide insight as to the function of oxytalan fibers. The oxytalan fibers may provide increased structural integrity and increased distribution of forces over a wider area of the periodontal ligament. Because of their close relationship to blood and lymph vessels in the periodontal ligament, they may also help to stabilize these elements by the same structural relationships to collagen fibers.

Presence of oxytalan fibers in human regenerated periodontal ligament

“…The oxytalan fibers in the regenerated periodontal ligament had a light -and electron microscopical appearance similar to that in the normal periodontal ligament. The histological examination of the present material has also shown that the regenerated oxytalan fibers displayed a similar morphological appearance to those previously described by others in the normal animal and human periodontal ligament (Fullmer 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, Fullmer et al 1974, Rannie 1963, Jonas & Riede 1980, Edwards 1968, Carmichael 1968, Hurst 1972, Sims 1973, 1975, 1977, 1979, Itoh et al 1979, Sampson & Sims 1979, Edmunds et al 1979, Sculean et al 1997).…”

“…Oxytalan fibers have been described as being a normal component of the periodontal ligament connective tissue in man and various animal species (Fullmer 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, Fullmer et al 1974, Goggins 1966, Rannie 1963, Lö e & Nuki 1964, Jonas & Riede 1980, Kohl & Zander 1962, Edwards 1968, Carmichael 1968, Sims 1973, 1975, 1977, 1979, Itoh et al 1979, Sampson & Sims 1979, Johnson & Pylypas 1992, Edmunds et al 1979, Sculean et al 1997. Usually, they are located closer to the cementum than to the alveolar bone, often inserting into the root cementum (Goggins 1966, Rannie 1963, Fullmer et al 1974, Carmichael 1968, Sims 1973, 1975, 1977, 1979, Itoh et al 1979, Sampson & Sims 1979, Sculean et al 1997.…”

Oxytalan Fibres in the Periodontal Ligament of Equine Molar Cheek Teeth

“…In previous examinations, oxytalan fibres were frequently arranged almost at right angles to the collagen fibres (Carmichael, 1968; Sims, 1973; Edmunds et al., 1979). However, this spatial relationship between oxytalan fibres and collagen fibre bundles is not consistent in the horse.…”

Recent advances in oral mucosal research

“…Oral research has contributed valuably to knowledge of the role of the fibroblast in the mechanisms of resorbing and forming collagen (Fullmer & Gibson 1966, Ten Cate 1972, Frank et al 1977. Subgroups of connective tissue fibers which are found in the lamina propria, e.g., elastin, reticulin, oxytalan , have been examined histochemically and ultrastructurally (Soames & Davies 1978, Edmunds et al 1979.…”