Balloon Compression Spinal Cord Injury in Animal Model Using Canine and Capra

Purpose: This study aims to observe the feasibility of canines and capra as large animal models for the use in SCI in vivo research. Components observed in this study include daily activity, and neurological function. Methods: This research incorporated the use of goats (Capra aegagrus hircus) and dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) as the animal model of choice due to similarities in spine and vertebral structures with humans. To stimulate SCI in animals, ballooning compression was done in animals to mimic the compression-stimulated SCI common in human. Results: The induction procedure was successfully done in all animals. Directly following the induction procedure, motoric and sensory functions were absent in all dogs and goats. Decreased physical activity was observed in goats. Compromised urinary function was observed in both goats and dogs. Both animals retained defecation function. Inflammation, hemorrhaging, and necrosis was observed in histopathological investigations. Conclusion: In our observations, the dog animal model was found to be more suitable for the use in SCI studies. The dog animal model was found to give more consistent findings, easier observations, and similar neurological and histopathological findings as that of SCI in humans.研究目的：本研究旨在探究犬与山羊作为大型动物模型应用于脊髓损伤（Spinal Cord Injury, SCI）体内研究的可行性。本研究观测指标包括日常活动与神经功能。 研究方法：本研究选用家山羊（Capra aegagrus hircus）与家犬（Canis lupus familiaris）作为实验动物模型，因其脊柱与椎体结构与人类具有相似性。为构建动物脊髓损伤模型，本研究采用气囊压迫法模拟人类临床常见的压迫性脊髓损伤。 研究结果：所有实验动物均成功完成造模操作。造模完成后即刻，所有家犬与家山羊的运动与感觉功能均丧失。山羊的日常活动量出现下降。家山羊与家犬均出现排尿功能受损，但二者均保留排便功能。组织病理学检测可见炎症反应、出血及坏死现象。 研究结论：本研究观测结果显示，家犬动物模型更适用于脊髓损伤相关研究。该模型可获得更一致的实验结果，观测难度更低，且其神经功能与组织病理学变化与人类脊髓损伤更为相似。