Journalartikel

Jahr der Veröffentlichung: 1998

Seiten: 501-510

Zeitschrift: Annals of Anatomy

Bandnummer: 180

Heftnummer: 6

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0940-9602(98)80055-1

Verlag: Elsevier

Abstract: 

Due to their rapid growth, regular replacement and easy accessibility,
deer antlers are considered a useful model for the study of cartilage
and bone differentiation and mineralization in mammals. The present
study describes, for the first time, the cellular and extracellular
matrix changes associated with cartilage formation, mineralization and
degeneration in primary antlers on the ultrastructural level. Growing
primary antlers of 3 to 4 cm length were obtained from six fallow bucks,
aged about 10 months. It was shown that the chondroblasts were derived
from progenitor cells of the antler perichondrium and differentiated
into mature chondrocytes that subsequently underwent hypertrophic
changes. Concomitant with cell hypertrophy, formation of a lacunar and a
perilacunar extracellular matrix was observed, the latter containing
numerous collagenous fibers. Mineralization of the extracellular matrix
occurred via matrix vesicles and the formation of apatite crystals at
distinct sites of the collagenous fibers. The hypertrophic chondrocytes
of the mineralized cartilage then degenerated, a process that was also
occasionally observed in more distally located cells surrounded by still
unmineralized matrix. No morphological indications of a
transdifferentiation of hypertrophic chondrocytes into bone forming
cells, i.e., co-occurrence of a degenerating chondrocyte and a viable
osteogenic cell in intact lacunae, were found. The cellular and
extracellular matrix changes seen in primary antlers resemble those
described for secondary antlers. Our results further indicate that the
hypertrophic chondrocytes of primary antlers eventually undergo
apoptosis, thereby providing further evidence that metaplastic
conversion of cartilage into bone does not play a role in antler growth.

Harvard-Zitierstil: Szuwart, T., Kierdorf, H., Kierdorf, U. and Clemen, G. (1998) Ultrastructural aspects of cartilage formation, mineralization, and degeneration during primary antler growth in fallow deer (Dama dama), Annals of Anatomy, 180(6), pp. 501-510. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0940-9602(98)80055-1

APA-Zitierstil: Szuwart, T., Kierdorf, H., Kierdorf, U., & Clemen, G. (1998). Ultrastructural aspects of cartilage formation, mineralization, and degeneration during primary antler growth in fallow deer (Dama dama). Annals of Anatomy. 180(6), 501-510. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0940-9602(98)80055-1