Ultrastructual analysis of the fibrous layer of condyle in the rat temporomandibular joint with ageing

ABSTRACT

mandibular condyle of the neonatal, 1-, 7-, 14-, 27-, 55-days and 1 year old rats were examined in the electron microscope with particular attention to the ultrastructure and diameter of collagen fibrils. In the 1-day rats, most of the cells of the fibrous layer were undifferentiated mesenchymal cells and fibroblasts with rough a little developed rough endoplasmic reticulum(RER) and golgi apparatus(GA). In 7-, 17 and 27-days old rats, most of the fibroblast showed well developed GA and RER with widely distended cisternae containing granular materials. In many of these cells contained intracytoplasmic filaments among the cytoplamic organelle. In 55-day and 1-year old rats, three types of cells were observed, ie, cells containing well developed cytoplasmic organelle presumed to be involved in the collagen fibril synthesis, cells showing well developed lysosomes, golgi apparatus, mitochondria and short cytoplasmic process presumed to be involved in the active resorption of the injured collagen fibrils or cellular debris, cells containing many intracytoplasmic filaments and a little organelle presumed to be cells of inactive state. The average diameters of collagen fibrils were similar in 1- and 7-day old rats as 38.48+/-3.81nm, 38.06+/-3.86nm. That was thickest in 14 days old rats as 50.21+/-3.93nm among experimental groups. They were gradually thinner in 27-, 55-day rats as 40.05+/-2.52nm, 43.63+/-1.20nm and thinnest in 1-year old rats as 37.38+/-2.17nm. The distribution pattern of diameters of collagen fibrils were unimordal with peak of 30-60nm in rats from 1-day to 17-day old. With aging from 27-day to 1 year old rats, collagen fibril diameters showed wide distribution pattern and percentage of thin collagen fibrils increased. These results may show the functional adaptation of fibrous layer of mandibular condyle to the increased mechanical forces with aging.