Effects of denervation on 3H-fucose incorporation by odontoblasts in the mouse incisor.

The present study was designed to determine the effects of denervation on glycoprotein synthesis in the predentinal matrix of the mouse incisor. The inferior alveolar nerve (IAN), superior cervical ganglion (SCG) or both (IAN + SCG) were unilaterally resected in adult mice with the contralateral side remaining intact as a control. Fourteen days after surgery and 4 h prior to killing, 0.2 mCi of 3H-fucose was injected intravenously and mandibles were processed for standard histological and autoradiographic techniques. Silver halide grains were counted over the predentin matrix for 2000 micrometers per tooth. The results showed that the IAN and SCG resection affected 3H-fucose incorporation into the predentinal matrix; however, the highest absolute mean grain counts occurred after IAN + SCG resection. SCG resection increased the amount of 3H-fucose incorporated into the predentinal matrix by 48%, that of IAN by 24% and that of IAN + SCG by 14% as compared to contralateral controls. These data indicate a regulatory role for the nervous system and a possible interaction of neural components in the control of glycoprotein synthesis by odontoblasts in the mouse incisor.