title: Immunohistochemical and histomorphometric evaluation of vascular distribution in intact canine cranial cruciate ligament.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To (1) describe vascular distribution in the grossly intact canine cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) using immunohistochemical techniques specific to 2 components of blood vessels (factor VIII for endothelial cells, laminin for basement membrane); and (2) compare the vascularity in different areas of interest (craniomedial versus caudolateral bands; core versus epiligamentous regions; and proximal versus middle versus distal portions) in the intact normal canine CCL.
  
  
  METHODS
  In vitro study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Large, mature dogs (n=7) of breeds prone to CCL disease that were euthanatized for nonorthopedic conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Intact CCL were collected from fresh canine cadavers free from stifle pathology. CCL tissue was processed for immunohistochemistry and stained for factor VIII and laminin. Vascular density was determined by histomorphometric analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Specific vascular staining was sparsely identified throughout the CCL; however, the proximal portion of the CCL appears to have a greater number of vessels than the middle or distal portion of the ligament.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The CCL is a hypovascular tissue and its vascular distribution is not homogeneous.
authors.affiliation: JD Wheat Veterinary Orthopedic Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA. khayashi@ucdavis.edu
authors.forename: Kei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.forename: Jitender
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bhandal
authors.forename: Sun Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Carlos O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Entwistle
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Naydan
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kapatkin
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Stover
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000098:blood supply*; D004285:Dogs / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005169:Factor VIII / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007797:Laminin / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D055806:Microvessels / Q000033:anatomy & histology
chemical_list: D007797:Laminin; D005169:Factor VIII