Ultrastructural localization of calcium in matrix vesicles and preodontoblasts of developing rat molar tooth germs during initial dentinogenesis

We investigated the ultrastructural localization of calcium in progenitor predentine and preodontoblasts of developing rat molar tooth germs using the potassium pyroantimonate technique. At the precalcification stage, antimonate reaction product was sparsely, randomly distributed in the preodontoblasts and in the progenitor predentine but no significant reaction could be noticed associated with matrix vesicles. At the matrix vesicle calcification stage, large amounts of antimonate reaction product tended to be localized in the region adjacent to the distal, outer surface membrane of preodontoblasts in which moderate antimonate reaction activity could be observed in mitochondria. Strong antimonate reaction was detected preferentially on the outer surface membrane of some matrix vesicles at this stage. At the subsequent collagen calcification stage, definite antimonate reaction was no longer seen within mitochondria of the late preodontoblasts, instead precipitate was mainly distributed in Golgi area, secretory granules and lateral intercellular spaces. It is suggested that although matrix vesicles contain few calcium capable of reacting to antimonate immediately after their biogenesis, subsequently, large amounts of calcium are accumulated associated with the outer surface membrane of matrix vesicles in the extracellular matrix.