Spontaneous calcification in hearts of DBA mice

Abstract

Abstract Onset, frequency and characteristics of the spontaneous calcification which occurs in hearts of mice of the DBA strain have been studied. Calcified myocardial lesions developed as early as 25 days of age. A limited inflammatory response was associated with the fine mineral granules of early lesions. With age, sites of calcium deposition became larger and agranular. There was no evidence of inflammation at such loci and adjacent connective tissue did not increase significantly. In the oldest animals (older than 90 days), fibrous encapsulation of calcified sites was typical. Calcareous epicarditis appeared by 30 days; was minimal (8%) through 90 days, and then rose sharply in incidence (50%) in older animals. Epicardial calcification was restricted to the right ventricle. In general the calcified lesions increased with age and were not related to sex. Incidence of all lesions was 17% by 30 days of age, 80% within 90 days, and 94% in mice older than 90 days.