Pigment Formation in the Rat's Incisor

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Abstract
Rat jaws were fixed in formalin and decalcified in 5% trichloroacetic acid for 72 hrs. and in 5% formic acid for 38 hrs. Following paraffin sectioning, most of the enamel and the gingiva retained their relationships. Histological sections reveal that ameloblasts in the unexposed gingival portion of the rat''s incisor produce granular pigment. As the tooth moves distally, these granules accumulate into globules which are deposited in the outer fibrous enamel. In animals given fluorine the ameloblasts begin the formation of the pigment late in their existence and little pigment is formed. Some pigment is retained by the ameloblasts while some is deposited between the enamel epithelium and the enamel.

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