Effects of pregnancy and lactation on the microhardness of rat incisor dentine and enamel

Pregnancy and lactation affect the rate of maternal dentine apposition and mineralization in the rat. In this study we have measured the effects of pregnancy and lactation on the degree of mineralization of dentine and enamel by using the microhardness method in rat incisors. At incisal. sections, pregnant and lactation group enamel values were increased compared to that of a control group; the pregnancy and post-lactation period dentine values decreased slightly compared to the control group. At neck sections, pregnant and lactation group enamel values were decreased compared to that of the control group; the pregnancy and post-lactation period dentine values were also decreased slightly compared to the control group. At the post-lactation period neck section dentine mineralization was decreased compared with the incisal section. As a result, enamel. and dentine layers of rat incisors are affected to varying degrees by these changes in mineralization levels during the maternal period. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.