Lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes of the rat incisor pulp

The lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme pattern of rat incisor pulps has been investigated by means of cellulose acetate paper electrophoresis.Five distinct bands were present with LDH-1 and LDH-2 predominating.This pattern indicates that the continuous growth and dentinogenesis of this tooth demands an aerobic metabolism, although the presence of a rather strong LDH-5 band points to the possible presence of a primitive anaerobic metabolism. The absence of LDH-1 and LDH-2 bands in developing molar teeth is correlated to earlier suggestions of prominent primitive anaerobic pathways and partially deficient aerobic metabolism of the dental pulp.