ABSTRACT

This chapter discusses the results of first endeavours to use recording structures for purposes other than age determination. Such endeavours were made by studying some mammalian species. The suggested interpretations of data, in a number of cases, are no more than hypothesis. In dentin of mammals such as cetaceans and pinnipeds, in which there is a neonatal line in the permanent teeth, its formation is considered to be connected with the time of birth of an individual. Pregnancy and lactation cannot cause growth cessation, but they can cause some changes in calcification. Such changes are not easy to see in a pattern of bone growth layers. As for growth layers of dentin, the situation is different. There are some data showing on the presence of some peculiarities in the dentin growth layers. These peculiarities are connected with reproduction of an individual.