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Immunhistochemical Demonstration of Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Innervation in the Dog
Author(s) -
Willenegger S.,
Friess A. E.,
Stoffel M. H.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
anatomia, histologia, embryologia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.34
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1439-0264
pISSN - 0340-2096
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0264.2005.00669_131.x
Subject(s) - anatomy , intervertebral disc , lumbar , medicine , low back pain , nerve root , intervertebral disk , back pain , pathology , alternative medicine
Low back pain is a common ailment in dogs, particularly in specific breeds as for instance the German shepherd dog. A number of structures such as facet joint capsules, ligaments, dorsal root ganglia, periosteum, vertebral endplate, and meninges have been associated with this condition. However, in a substantial proportion of all cases, the origin of pain remains obscure. A further structure often being involved in vertebral column disorders is the intervertebral disc. However, the presence of nerves is a precondition for pain sensation and, consequently, structures lacking sensory innervation can be left out of consideration as a cause for low back pain. Nerve fibres have been demonstrated at the periphery of intervertebral discs in man, rabbit and rat. With regard to the dog, however, extent of intervertebral disc innervation still is disputed. The goal of the present study, therefore, was to assess previous findings based on silver impregnation. Protein gene product (PGP) 9.5 was used as a marker for immunohistochemical examination of serial transversal and sagittal paraffin sections of lumbar discs from adult dogs. This technique revealed nerve fibres to be confined to the periphery of the intervertebral discs. Thus, even limited pathological processes affecting the outer layers of the intervertebral disc are prone to cause low back pain.