Open Access Green möglich sobald Postprint bei der ZB eingereicht worden ist.
Stereological characteristics of the equine accessory nerve.
Anat. Histol. Embryol. 37, 205-213 (2008)
Stereological techniques have been increasingly employed for assessment and characterization of neuromuscular diseases in humans and animals. As an adjunct to histopathology, morphometrical algorithms provide quantitative evidence of the peripheral nerve composition, thereby shedding light on its fibre characteristics and basic electrophysiological properties. In the horse, stereological investigations already have focussed on the recurrent laryngeal, deep peroneal and lateral palmar nerves (LPN). Of these, only the latter is suitable for taking biopsies in clinical settings, however, it does not contain any motor fibres and Ia-afferents. On account of its virtually mixed fibre qualities, most researchers today recommend the cervical branch of the equine accessory nerve (AN) for harvesting diagnostic samples. Thus, the present study was carried out to gain morphometrical proof of the AN composition and to obtain stereological base values in healthy individuals using state-of-the-art technology. All parameters were compared to the common peroneal nerve (CPN), known to harbour all myelinated fibre classes. As this second biopsy site is located farther distally to the neuro-axis, attention was paid to possible length-dependent features. Taken together, digital image analysis could be accurately applied on all AN samples. Stereology supported the histological and clinical evidence that the AN contains all myelinated fibre types. The huge range and scatter of fibre counts and density (3351-17,812/mm(2)) per fascicle were comparable to that measured in the equine common peroneal, deep peroneal, lateral palmar and recurrent laryngeal nerves. Similar to those, fibre diameter distribution was bimodal with slow Abeta- and Agamma-mechanoceptor afferents outnumbering large myelinated Aalpha-fibres by a factor of about 1.5. With a g-ratio at 0.55 +/- 0.001, the overall degree of myelination in the AN is highly consistent and insignificantly ranges between that of the equine common peroneal and LPNs. Apart from this subtle deviation, a statistically relevant difference between the more proximal AN and the distal CPN could not be documented. By obtaining morphometrical standard parameters and even more sophisticated distribution indices, stereology is a valuable tool for detection of subtle changes that are likely to escape from the investigators' eyes. The AN serves as a reliable source for advanced peripheral nerve research and should be accompanied by farther distal nerve probes for assessment of neuropathies that present with a proximodistal gradient.
Impact Factor
Scopus SNIP
Web of Science
Times Cited
Times Cited
Scopus
Cited By
Cited By
Altmetric
0.554
0.330
7
7
Anmerkungen
Besondere Publikation
Auf Hompepage verbergern
Publikationstyp
Artikel: Journalartikel
Dokumenttyp
Wissenschaftlicher Artikel
Sprache
englisch
Veröffentlichungsjahr
2008
HGF-Berichtsjahr
2008
ISSN (print) / ISBN
0340-2096
e-ISSN
1439-0264
Zeitschrift
Anatomia, Histologia, Embryologia
Quellenangaben
Band: 37,
Heft: 3,
Seiten: 205-213
Verlag
Wiley
Begutachtungsstatus
Peer reviewed
Institut(e)
Institute of Pathology (PATH)
Institute of Biomathematics and Biometry (IBB)
Research Unit Analytical Pathology (AAP)
Institute of Biomathematics and Biometry (IBB)
Research Unit Analytical Pathology (AAP)
POF Topic(s)
30504 - Mechanisms of Genetic and Environmental Influences on Health and Disease
30205 - Bioengineering and Digital Health
30205 - Bioengineering and Digital Health
Forschungsfeld(er)
Enabling and Novel Technologies
PSP-Element(e)
G-500300-001
FE 73821
G-500390-001
FE 73821
G-500390-001
Scopus ID
43749106671
Erfassungsdatum
2008-06-03