Formation of cartilaginous foci in the central fibrous body of the heart in Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus).

The formation of cartilage in the mammalian heart has been studied in the aortic and pulmonary valves. The chondrogenetic process that takes place in the cardiac skeleton is still unknown. The present study was designed to illustrate the ontogeny of cartilaginous foci occurring in the central fibrous body of the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) heart. Hearts from 472 animals aged 0-708 days were examined using histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques. Cartilage was present in the central fibrous body of 118 (25%) specimens. A further 104 hamsters were used for the detection of calcific deposits in the central fibrous body. Six (5.8%) showed calcified cartilage. The first sign related to chondrogenesis was the presence of small groups of cells embedded in a type II collagen-positive extracellular matrix. These cellular groups, which can appear as early as 2 days after birth, differentiate into hyaline cartilage or, less frequently, into fibrocartilage. The highest production of cartilaginous foci takes place between days 40 and 80. Thereafter, formation of new foci is uncommon. This indicates that appearance of cartilage in the central fibrous body of the heart is not a consequence of cardiac aging. The cartilaginous foci seem to act as pivots resisting mechanical tensions generated during the cardiac cycle. Deposition of calcium in the extracellular matrix of the foci can be regarded as a reinforcement of the cartilaginous tissue.