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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2017; 30(06): 398-402
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-17-02-0019
Original Research
Schattauer GmbH

Variation in the Quantity of Elastic Fibres with Degeneration in Canine Cranial Cruciate Ligaments from Labrador Retrievers

Kinley D. Smith
1   Willows Veterinary Centre & Referral Service, Shirley, Solihull, United Kingdom
,
Kei Hayashi
4   Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States
,
Dylan N. Clements
3   Division of Clinical Veterinary Sciences, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
,
Peter D. Clegg
2   Department of Musculoskeletal Biology, Institute of Aging and Chronic Disease, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
,
John F. Innes
5   ChesterGates Veterinary Specialists, Telford Court, Gates Road, Chester, CH1 6LT, UK
,
Eithne J. Comerford
2   Department of Musculoskeletal Biology, Institute of Aging and Chronic Disease, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
› Author AffiliationsThis research forms part of a project undertaken at the University of Liverpool funded by a BBSRC (Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council) doctoral training award, Grant BB/F017502/1.
Further Information

Publication History

received 01 February 2017

accepted after revision 17 July 2017

Publication Date:
04 December 2017 (online)

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Abstract

Objectives This study aims to quantify numbers of elastic fibres in cranial cruciate ligaments from a dog breed at high risk of cranial cruciate ligament disease.

Methods Macroscopically normal cranial cruciate ligaments were harvested from six Labrador retrievers. Sequential histological sections were assessed for extracellular matrix degeneration (haematoxylin and eosin stain) and elastic fibre staining (Miller’s stain). Elastic fibres were semi-quantified using previously published scoring systems. Each section was scored twice by two observers.

Results Increased numbers of elastic fibres were seen with increasing cranial cruciate ligament degeneration (p = 0.001). Labrador retriever cranial cruciate ligaments had lower elastic fibre staining when compared with previous published findings in the racing greyhound.

Clinical Significance The cranial cruciate ligaments from a dog breed at high risk of cranial cruciate ligament disease vary in the quantity of elastic fibres in association with ligament degeneration. Breed variation in the quantity of elastic fibres may reflect differing risk of cranial cruciate ligament disease.

Keywords

dogs - cruciate ligament disease - elastic fibres
 

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