COMPARISON OF MORPHOLOGIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NUCLEUS PULPOSUS CELLS FROM YOUNG AND ADULT RABBIT INTERVERTEBRAL DISC / 解剖学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To compare the cellular characteristics of the nucleus pulposus(NP) cells of young and adult rabbits.Methods The structure and arrangement of the NP cells from young and adult rabbits were investigated on both tissue and ultrastructure level by confocal laser scanning microscope and transmission electron microscope. Results The NP cells from the young rabbit discs,which were round and contained numerous large inclusion bodies,often formed clusters with a diameter of(266?167)??m and a density of(8.0?2.4) per high power(?40);The NP cells from the adult rabbit discs were round or oval shape and had no large size inclusion bodies,formed less clusters or were singly diffusedly distributed,with the diameter of clusters to be(94?42)??m(single cell excluded) and density to be(14.9?4.3) per high power(?40).Conclusion There were remarkable morphological differences in the cell architecture of nuclei pulposi between the young and adult rebbits.These features of the aging and degenerating disc contribute to decreased biological function.