ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the levels of parathyroid hormo ne -related protein(PTHrP) in mandibular condylar cartilage during mandible forwar d positioning in different seasons. Methods:64 SD rats were rand omly divided into four groups according to seasons. Orthodontic appliance was us ed in 32 rats for 12 hours each day in daytime for mandibular protrusion. 8 rats were sacrificed at each season time point.Condyle samples were processed for PT HrP detection by a two-site immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) method.Another 32 ra ts without treatment were used as the controls.Macroscopic and microscopic appro ach were applied to analyze the results. Results:The level of P THrP in mandibular condylar cartilage(MCC) in the group of orthodontic treatmen t was higher than that in the control group(P