Polarized light microscopic analyses of collagen fibers in the rat incisor periodontal ligament in relation to areas, regions, and ages.

We prepared decalcified sagittal sections (20 microm thick) from the incisal, middle, and basal regions of the mandibular incisor of male Wistar rats aged 2, 6, 12, and 24 months, and examined the sections using polarized light microscopy. Most of the birefringent fibers appeared to run obliquely across the periodontal ligament. Birefringent fibers running parallel to the long axis of the incisor were also found in the intermediate area of the ligament. Similar fiber architecture was observed in all four age groups. Quantitative analysis showed that the retardation values of collagen were higher in the bone- and tooth-related areas and lower in the intermediate area of the ligament. The values for the bone- and tooth-related areas increased from the basal toward the incisal regions in all four age groups. Age-related changes in the retardation values were found only in the incisal region of the incisor. In the incisal region, the values for the bone- and tooth-related areas increased markedly from 2-24 months of age, whereas those for the intermediate area increased slightly but significantly with age. Our findings indicate that the degrees of molecular organization and alignment of collagen fibers in the bone- and tooth-related areas of the ligament are higher than those in the intermediate area and increase near the incisal region and with age. It is also suggested that the collagen fibers in the intermediate area remain immature along the long axis of the incisor throughout the life span of the animal. Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.