title: Autofluorescence of bovine ligamentum nuchae, cartilage, heart valve and lung measured by microscopy and fibre optics.
abstract: The fluorescence of bovine tissues was measured post mortem by microscopy of frozen sections and by using optical fibres to excite fluorescence and to measure fluorescence emission spectra. Mechanical disruption of the tissue (by comminution or sectioning) did not appreciably change tissue fluorescence spectra. Ligamentum nuchae had the strongest fluorescence and lung tissue had the weakest. In samples measured with a minimum prior exposure to ultraviolet light, the peak fluorescence emission was at 410 or 420 nm (with excitation at 365 nm). Exposure to ultraviolet light for about 1 minute shifted the fluorescence peak to 450 to 470 nm. Further exposure (about 30 minutes) caused a loss of the 450 to 470 nm fluorescence peak, while emissions above 530 nm were maintained or strengthened. Microscopy showed that the fluorescence that was measured by fibre optics from intact connective tissues originated mostly from collagen and elastin fibres.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Swatland
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002356:Cartilage / Q000032:analysis*; D002417:Cattle; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D005453:Fluorescence; D005470:Fluorometry; D006351:Heart Valves / Q000032:analysis*; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000032:analysis*; D008168:Lung / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence