Mucus quality on horse tracheal epithelium: microscopic grading based on transparency.
The aim of this ex-vivo study on excised tracheas of healthy horses was to characterise the microscopic heterogeneity of mucus quality by a visual grading system based on transparency and to determine whether differences in mucus quality, assessed by a visual grading system, influence tracheal mucus velocity (TMV). Small pieces of each trachea were mounted into a humidified chamber under a microscope. Mucus quality was visually subdivided into four grades (MG) and ciliary beat frequency and TMV were determined. Mucus on excised horse tracheal epithelium does not form a homogenous layer. We observed flakes and streams of a great heterogeneity, which by the characteristic of transparency can be qualified and quantified. Visual characterisation of mucus was able to explain a considerable part of TMV variation. Therefore, it can be considered as a suitable non-invasive method for the evaluation of mucus quality and transport effectiveness.
Gerber
V
V
Horse clinic, Animal Hospital, University of Berne, Switzerland. vgerber@itz.unibe.ch
Gehr
P
P
Straub
R
R
Frenz
M
M
King
M
M
Im Hof
V
V
D000818:Animals; D004848:Epithelium / Q000502:physiology; D006736:Horses / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D018715:Microscopy, Video; D009079:Mucociliary Clearance / Q000502:physiology*; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000502:physiology; D009093:Mucus / Q000502:physiology*; D014132:Trachea / Q000502:physiology*