Journal of Dental Research, Vol 65, 34-38, Copyright © 1986 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Fluoride uptake and retention at various stages of rat molar enamel development
J. W. Bawden, P. McLean and T. G. Deaton
Suckling rat pups were given intraperitoneal fluoride injections at
selected ages so that we could study fluoride uptake in the enamel of the
maxillary first molar at various stages of enamel development. Plasma
fluoride levels in six-day-old and 11-day-old pups were monitored following
the intraperitoneal injection of fluoride. The findings indicate that: (1)
fluoride was more easily taken up and retained during the early stages of
enamel formation, but fluoride uptake can occur during all stages of enamel
formation; (2) when injections were started early in enamel formation, more
fluoride was contained in the enamel of the maxillary first molar at 13
days of age; and (3) the same dose of fluoride per gram body weight
resulted in greater exposure to elevated plasma fluoride levels in
six-day-old pups than in 11-day-old pups.
