Rates of epithelial cell proliferation in the oral mucosa and skin of the tamarin monkey (Saguinus fuscicollis).

Epithelial cell proliferation was determined in skin and various regions of the oral cavity of the tamarin monkey and was expressed by means of two mitotic indices: the number of metaphases per mm of epithelial surface, and the number of metaphases per mm basement membrane. A significant correlation was obtained between the rank ordering of the different regions according to each index. Generally, the non-keratinized tissues of the oral cavity had mitotic rates higher than those of the keratinized oral regions, with the epidermis having the lowest value. The mitotic index also correlated significantly with epithelial thickness, with the thicker regions showing a higher rate of proliferation. These results represent the first comprehensive set of values for a primate and are in general agreement with data obtained from non-primate species; the values support the concept that the oral lining tissue turns over more rapidly than does the masticatory mucosa (Bhaskar, 1980).