Matrix formation in the mandibular condyle of the rat (35S) - sulfate incorporation studies.

The matrix formation activity of the mandibular condylar cartilage was investigated using radioactive sulfate incorporation. The condylar cartilage was studied at various developmental stages; as an autotransplant, in situ and on a chemically defined medium. An initial decrease in the cpm/DNA was followed by an increase, until a maximum was attained for all groups, between the 14th and 17th days. Thereafter, the matrix formation activity decreased. There was a surprising likeness in the patterns of activity for all the samples investigated. This tends to support the hypothesis that cartilagenous growth seem to be regulated, at least to some extent by one or more humoral factors.