The autoradiographic utilization and distribution of [1-3H]-galactose by the dental tissues of ageing mice.

The uptake, turnover and distribution of [1-3H]-galactose by periodontal tissues associated with maxillary first molars of mice 5, 26 and 78 weeks of age showed that galactose was utilized by all oral tissues studied throughout the life-span. Uptake and turnover of the tracer revealed pulsed events. Synchrony of the pulsed events was noted. With increasing age, diminished utilization of galactose was evident, as well as a change in peak-time of the curves characteristic of ageing. The complex plots represent several metabolic events occurring simultaneously. The uptake of galactose by fibrogenic, osteogenic and cementogenic cells was low. Matrical output, on the other hand, remained high. Cementogenic cell output was the highest of all the tissues over the 30-day period. Despite decreased physiological activity with age and superimposed age changes, galactose utilization remained high throughout the study.