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Metric characteristics of the canine dental complex in prenatally androgenized female rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)
Author(s) -
Zingeser M. R.,
Phoenix C. H.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
american journal of physical anthropology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.146
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1096-8644
pISSN - 0002-9483
DOI - 10.1002/ajpa.1330490206
Subject(s) - sexual dimorphism , testosterone propionate , skull , biology , maxillary canine , prenatal development , physiology , dentistry , fetus , anatomy , medicine , endocrinology , androgen , pregnancy , genetics , hormone
Abstract Permanent maxillary canine teeth (C 1 ) are appreciably larger in males than in females in most nonhominid Anthropoidea. Mandibular canines (C 1 ) and mandibular first premolars (P 3 ), against which C 1 are sharpened in honing behavior, reflect commensurate sexual dimorphism. These three teeth constitute the canine dental complex. The canine complex crown metrics of seven mature genetically female rhesus Macaques, androgenized by prenatal exposure to testosterone propionate, were compared with a control sample (N=12) for evidence of masculinization. The C 1 and C 1 were measured for clinical crown lengths (L) and mesiodistal and buccolingual widths. The functionally significant and highly dimorphic honing dimensions (HD), which approximate the honing surfaces of P 3 , were noted. In t ‐test comparisons, the C 1 L and P 3 HD in androgenized monkeys were significantly larger than those of the control group (P<0.05). Identical results were obtained with White's nonparametric ranking technique. Standardized lateral skull radiographs showing earlier dental formative stages were available for five of the seven animals, and these were compared with radiographs of control skulls. The developing C 1 were longer and wider than in the controls. This was not reflected in the crown metrics of mature animals because of marked dental attrition. We concluded that androgens can masculinize the female rhesus canine complex, if given during critical periods of prenatal development. We hypothesize that genes encoding the male canine complex are normally activated by endogenous fetal androgens during such critical periods.