Can Histological and Histomorphometrical Changes be Induced in Rat Mandibular Condyle Following Ovariectomy and Long-Term Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Field Exposure?

Abstract

The quantity and quality of maxillary and mandibular bone have long been a focus of attention for dental clinicians. The mandibular condyle is a major growth site and plays an important role during mandibular growth. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of long-term extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF) and hormonal changes produced by bilateral ovariectomy on the histologic and histomorphometric structure of rat mandibular condyle. Forty mature female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four different groups (n =10): control (Cnt), ovariectomy (OVX), ELF-MF exposure (ELF-MF), ELF-MF exposure with OVX application (ELF-MF+OVX). All rats were subjected to bilateral ovariectomy except those in Cnt and ELF-MF groups. ELF-MF and ELF-MF+OVX groups were exposed to 1.5 mT ELF-MF during 6 months, 4 h a day. After all applications, left condyle of rats were removed to examine histopathologically. Some histopathologic changes were observed, such as irregular appearance in bone marrow cavities in rat condyles of OVX, ELF-MF and ELF-MF+OVX groups. Some disorders in transition from hypertrophic field to ossification layer and irregular appearance in calcification were determined in OVX group. In OVX+ELF-MF and ELF-MF groups