Prenatal and postnatal development of the New Zealand white rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) teeth: An emphasis on histological and computed tomography aspects

Abstract

Abstract The study reveals that New Zealand white rabbit teeth do not exhibit histomorphogenesis. The teeth development was examined in 28 rabbits from prenatal ages (E19, E23, E25, and E28), neonates (E30), and postnatal age (one and fourteen days). Rabbit teeth first appeared at 19 days of prenatal life as an ectodermal epithelial thickening on each side of the mouth opening. At E23, tooth regular construction is framed from enamel, dentine, and pulp cavity. The peg incisor appearance is visible on the lingual surface of the upper major incisor. Teeth prenatal development went through successive stages like initiation, bud, cap, late bell, maturation, and crown stages. The teeth are composed of the enamel organ and dense mesenchymal tissue. Teeth develop consistently throughout life, having expanded enamel thickness, being diphyodont teeth, having two continuous dentitions, being deciduous and perpetual, with long crown teeth and an open root.