In vitro study of the giant tubule collagen formation in bovine dentin by [3H]-proline incorporation.

Unerupted permanent bovine incisors studied by routine autoradiography using radioactive proline incorporation revealed collagen formation within the giant tubules situated in the incisal dentin. A high [3H]-proline labeling was seen within the pulpal vascularized portion of the giant tubules, as well as in association with groups of cells immediately incisal to the blood vessel loops. The incisal portion of the giant tubules showed no or insignificant [3H]-proline labeling.