Open AccessMorphometric Parameters of Peripheral Nerves in Calves Correlated with Conduction Velocity
Author(s) -
Schenk H.C.,
HaastertTalini K.,
Jungnickel J.,
Grothe C.,
Meyer H.,
Rehage J.,
Fehr M.,
Bokemeyer J.,
Rohn C.,
Tipold A.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of veterinary internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.356
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1939-1676
pISSN - 0891-6640
DOI - 10.1111/jvim.12271
Subject(s) - medicine , sciatic nerve , nerve conduction velocity , anatomy , electroneuronography , peripheral , common peroneal nerve , electrophysiology , nerve fiber , tibial nerve , stimulation , facial nerve
Background Peripheral nerve injuries are the most frequent neurologic disorder in cattle. So far, no physiologic values have been established for the motor nerve conduction velocity ( mNCV ) in this precocial species. Objectives The electrophysiologic and morphometric reference values of peripheral nerves in calves were determined. It was hypothesized that these parameters would correlate to the high degree of maturity in the first days of life in this species compared to other species. Animals Twenty‐six healthy calves were used in this study. Methods The mNCV of the radial and the sciatic/common peroneal nerve was measured in all 26 calves. Nerve biopsies from a group of 6 calves were taken to correlate the obtained electrophysiologic data with morphological parameters. Results The mean mNCV of the radial nerve was 48.3 ± 10.6 m/s, whereas the mean mNCV of the sciatic/peroneal nerve was with 83.8 ± 5.9 m/s significantly faster ( P < .0001). The average fiber diameter was 8.40 ± 2.80 μm (range, 1.98–17.90 μm) and the average g‐ratio was 0.61 ± 0.04 SD. Conclusion and Clinical Importance The established reference values for mNCV in calves correlate well with the evaluated morphometric parameters. Attributable to their comparably fast mNCV and high fiber diameters, juvenile calves appear to be much more mature individuals than other mammals. Electrophysiologic characterization of peripheral nerve injury now is feasible in this species.