Biomaterial Database

Ultrastructural localization of alkaline phosphatase activity in the normal and osteochondrotic joint cartilage of growing pigs. 1991

S Ekman, and H Rodriguez-Martinez

Department of Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala.

The present study aimed to describe the ultrastructural localization of alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity in articular-epiphyseal growth cartilage of the commercial pig and the minipig of wild hog ancestry, comparing areas with a normal endochondral ossification with those where the calcification of the matrix is insufficient, as in osteochondrotic cartilage. Intense AP activity was primarily present in the cytoplasm, the plasmalemmae, the long cellular processes and the matrix vesicles budding off from proliferative and hypertrophic chondrocytes in those areas of cartilage where normal calcification appeared. In the osteochondrotic cartilage, the only detectable AP activity was restricted to a few morphologically viable hypertrophic cells in the surroundings of the lesion. The lack of AP activity could partially explain the insufficient calcification of the osteochondrotic cartilage.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008854	Microscopy, Electron	Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen.	Electron Microscopy
D010007	Osteochondritis	Inflammation of a bone and its overlaying CARTILAGE.	Meniscitis,Meniscitides,Osteochondritides
D002113	Calcification, Physiologic	Process by which organic tissue becomes hardened by the physiologic deposit of calcium salts.	Bone Mineralization,Calcification, Physiological,Physiologic Calcification,Mineralization, Bone,Physiological Calcification
D002358	Cartilage, Articular	A protective layer of firm, flexible cartilage over the articulating ends of bones. It provides a smooth surface for joint movement, protecting the ends of long bones from wear at points of contact.	Articular Cartilage,Articular Cartilages,Cartilages, Articular
D004577	Electron Probe Microanalysis	Identification and measurement of ELEMENTS and their location based on the fact that X-RAYS emitted by an element excited by an electron beam have a wavelength characteristic of that element and an intensity related to its concentration. It is performed with an electron microscope fitted with an x-ray spectrometer, in scanning or transmission mode.	Microscopy, Electron, X-Ray Microanalysis,Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission, Electron Microscopic,Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission, Electron Probe,X-Ray Emission Spectrometry, Electron Microscopic,X-Ray Emission Spectrometry, Electron Probe,X-Ray Microanalysis, Electron Microscopic,X-Ray Microanalysis, Electron Probe,Microanalysis, Electron Probe,Spectrometry, X Ray Emission, Electron Microscopic,Spectrometry, X Ray Emission, Electron Probe,X Ray Emission Spectrometry, Electron Microscopic,X Ray Emission Spectrometry, Electron Probe,X-Ray Microanalysis,Electron Probe Microanalyses,Microanalyses, Electron Probe,Microanalysis, X-Ray,Probe Microanalyses, Electron,Probe Microanalysis, Electron,X Ray Microanalysis,X Ray Microanalysis, Electron Microscopic,X Ray Microanalysis, Electron Probe
D006132	Growth Plate	The area between the EPIPHYSIS and the DIAPHYSIS within which bone growth occurs.	Cartilage, Epiphyseal,Epiphyseal Cartilage,Epiphyseal Plate,Cartilages, Epiphyseal,Epiphyseal Cartilages,Epiphyseal Plates,Growth Plates,Plate, Epiphyseal,Plate, Growth,Plates, Epiphyseal,Plates, Growth
D000469	Alkaline Phosphatase	An enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of an orthophosphoric monoester and water to an alcohol and orthophosphate. EC 3.1.3.1.
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013552	Swine	Any of various animals that constitute the family Suidae and comprise stout-bodied, short-legged omnivorous mammals with thick skin, usually covered with coarse bristles, a rather long mobile snout, and small tail. Included are the genera Babyrousa, Phacochoerus (wart hogs), and Sus, the latter containing the domestic pig (see SUS SCROFA).	Phacochoerus,Pigs,Suidae,Warthogs,Wart Hogs,Hog, Wart,Hogs, Wart,Wart Hog