Development dependent collagen gene expression in the rat cranial base growth plate.

The spheno-occipital synchondrosis is part of the cranial base growth plate and is of crucial importance in craniofacial development. In this investigation, we studied changes in collagen gene expression in the spheno-occipital synchondrosis in order to identify the developmental stages most important for extracellular matrix production and ossification of the rat cranial base growth plate. Gene transcripts of type II and X collagen were most abundant at day 10 postnatally in the spheno-occipital synchondrosis. This observation is assumed to be due to intrinsic genetic factors and local environmental factors.