A Comprehensive Histomorphometric Analysis of Lymphoid Cells in the Healthy Rabbit Oral Mucosa

Abstract

The oral cavity is a significant immunologic interface, however detailed morphometric data regarding the resident lymphoid cells in rabbits, a commonly used model in immunologic and dental research, is meager. The purpose of the present study was to establish a quantitative baseline evaluation of the lymphoid cells resident in the clinically healthy rabbit oral mucosa using standard histochemical procedures. Biopsy material obtained from the buccal mucosa, hard palate, tongue and gingiva of five adult New Zealand White rabbits were employed. The tissue was processed by standard histological techniques (H & E staining). A careful morphometric analysis of 500 lymphoid cells selected at random in each area was performed using a computerized image analysis system to evaluate the cross-sectional area, perimeter and Feret’s diameter. The statistical analysis of the data revealed a significant regional variation. The gingival lymphoid cells were characterized by the smallest mean cross-sectional area (32.5 ± 4.1 µm²) and the buccal mucosa cells were the largest (41.8 ± 5.2 µm²). The greatest density of lymphatic aggregates was found in the tongue and buccal mucosa. The present study establishes a specific histomorphometric profile, establishing a hitherto unappreciated heterogeneity in the lymphoid populations of the oral cavity of the rabbit which has important implications of the use of the rabbit as a model in the studies of inflammatory and infectious diseases of the oral cavity.