Abstract
The endothelial glycocalyx (eGlx) lines the luminal surface of endothelial cells. It is critical in maintaining vascular health and when damaged contributes to many diseases. Its fragility makes studying the eGlx technically challenging. The current reference standard for eGlx visualisation, by electron microscopy using glutaraldehyde/Alcian blue perfusion fixation, has not been previously reported in dogs. Established techniques were applied to achieve visualisation of the eGlx in the microvasculature of reproductive tissue in five healthy dogs undergoing elective neutering. Uterine and testicular artery samples underwent perfusion fixation, in the presence of Alcian blue, prior to transmission electron microscopy imaging. Image processing software was used to determine eGlx depth. EGlx was visualised in the arteries of two dogs, one testicular and one uterine, with median (range) eGlx depths of 68.2 nm (32.1–122.9 nm) and 47.6 nm (26.1–129.4 nm) respectively. Study of the eGlx is technically challenging, particularly its direct visualisation in clinical samples. Further research is needed to develop more clinically applicable techniques to measure eGlx health.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 105844 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Veterinary Journal |
| Volume | 285 |
| Early online date | 28 May 2022 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jul 2022 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:Preliminary results were presented as an Abstract at the British Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress 2018 and the Southern European Veterinary Association Congress 2018. Support for travel to present the findings of the present study at scientific conferences was provided by MSD Animal Health. The authors would also like to thank all the staff at Langford Vets for their assistance with sample collection and storage. This work was supported by the Elizabeth Blackwell Institute, University of Bristol, and the Wellcome Trust Institutional Strategic Support Fund (204813/Z/16/Z). In addition, Natalie Finch was funded by Wellcome Trust (104507/Z/14/Z).
Funding Information:
Preliminary results were presented as an Abstract at the British Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress 2018 and the Southern European Veterinary Association Congress 2018. Support for travel to present the findings of the present study at scientific conferences was provided by MSD Animal Health. The authors would also like to thank all the staff at Langford Vets for their assistance with sample collection and storage. This work was supported by the Elizabeth Blackwell Institute , University of Bristol , and the Wellcome Trust Institutional Strategic Support Fund ( 204813/Z/16/Z ). In addition, Natalie Finch was funded by Wellcome Trust ( 104507/Z/14/Z ).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 The Authors