Early Influence of Polyoma Virus on Transplanted Tooth Germs

¹ Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Osaka University Dental School Osaka, Japan

After their exposure to the polyoma virus, the fetal tooth germs of ddO mice were transplanted subcutaneously into the axilla of the mice via a dorsal incision. Transplanted tooth germs were removed on the 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, and 25th days after transplantation. The results obtained from histologic examination were as follows: A greater effect was observed on the epithelial cells of tooth germs than on the mesenchymal cells within a 25-day post-treatment period. In the occlusal plane there was loss of polarity and arrangement, down-growth of inner-enamel epithelium into the dental pulp with many chambers, and loss of enamel matrix formation. Similar alterations were found in the enamel organs of transplanted tooth germs treated with the polyoma virus. Osteoid-like tissue that closely resembled bone was seen in place of dentin in the transplants of tooth germs after 20 and 25 days.