title: Cytologic analysis of synovial fluid in clinically normal tarsal joints of young camels (Camelus dromedarius).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Camels are important in the racing industry and for milk, meat, and hair production in the Middle East. Evaluation of synovial fluid is an important part of the assessment of musculoskeletal injuries in this species. Information in the literature regarding synovial fluid in camels is limited.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to determine the protein and cellular composition of synovial fluid from the tarsal joints of clinically normal, young camels (Camelus dromedarius).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty clinically healthy, male camels, aged 9 to 12 months, were used in the study. Synovial fluid samples were collected from the right and left tarsal joints. Samples were processed within 60 minutes after collection. Total nucleated cell counts (TNCC) were assessed using a hemacytometer. Total protein concentration was determined using a refractometer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-six samples were analyzed. The TNCC (mean +/- SD) was 175.8 +/- 136.7 cells/microL (range 50-678 cells/microL). Differential cell percentages were obtained for lymphocytes (58.2 +/- 21.55%, range 15-90%), monocyte/macrophages (38.3 +/- 20.8%, range 10-85%), and neutrophils (3.5 +/- 5.1%, range 0-15%). Protein concentration was 2.1 +/- 0.6 g/dL (range 1-3 g/dL). Significant differences were not observed in any parameters between right and left tarsal joints.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Synovial fluid reference values were established and may be useful in the clinical investigation of joint disease in young camels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan. ralrukib@just.edu.jo
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Al-Rukibat
authors.forename: Z A
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Bani Ismail
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Al-Zghoul
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002162:Camelus; D002452:Cell Count / Q000662:veterinary; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D018655:Lymphocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology; D008297:Male; D009000:Monocytes / Q000166:cytology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000166:cytology; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D012016:Reference Values; D012031:Refractometry / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology*; D013640:Tarsal Joints / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology*
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins