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Sensory innervation of the dorsal longitudinal ligament and the meninges in the lumbar spine of the dog

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Abstract

Although intervertebral disc herniation is a well-known disease in dogs, pain management for this condition has remained a challenge. The goal of the present study is to address the lack of information regarding the innervation of anatomical structures within the canine vertebral canal. Immunolabeling was performed with antibodies against protein gene product 9.5, Tuj-1 (neuron-specific class III β-tubulin), calcitonin gene-related peptide, and neuropeptide Y in combination with the lectin from Lycopersicon esculentum as a marker for blood vessels. Staining was indicative of both sensory and sympathetic fibers. Innervation density was the highest in lateral areas, intermediate in dorsal areas, and the lowest in ventral areas. In the dorsal longitudinal ligament (DLL), the highest innervation density was observed in the lateral regions. Innervation was lower at mid-vertebral levels than at intervertebral levels. The presence of sensory and sympathetic fibers in the canine dura and DLL suggests that pain may originate from both these structures. Due to these regional differences in sensory innervation patterns, trauma to intervertebral DLL and lateral dura is expected to be particularly painful. The results ought to provide a better basis for the assessment of medicinal and surgical procedures.

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Acknowledgments

The authors express appreciation to Mrs Véronique Gaschen for her untiring laboratory work, Mr Andreas Glarner for his professional preparation work, and Mr Simon König for his excellent photographic work. Further thanks are due to Claudia Spadavecchia. Images were acquired on equipment supported by the Microscopy Imaging Center (MIC) of the University of Bern.

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The authors certify that there was no actual or potential conflict of interest in relation to this article.

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  1. Division of Veterinary Anatomy, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 120, POB 8466, 3001, Bern, Switzerland

    Barbara Waber-Wenger, Kathrin Kuehni-Boghenbor & Michael Hubert Stoffel

  2. Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3001, Bern, Switzerland

    Franck Forterre

  3. Theodor Kocher Institute, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland

    Renzo Danuser & Jens Volker Stein

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  1. Barbara Waber-Wenger
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Correspondence to Michael Hubert Stoffel.

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Waber-Wenger, B., Forterre, F., Kuehni-Boghenbor, K. et al. Sensory innervation of the dorsal longitudinal ligament and the meninges in the lumbar spine of the dog. Histochem Cell Biol 142, 433–447 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00418-014-1218-x

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