Morphologic comparison of cervical, thoracic, lumbar intervertebral discs of cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis)

The aim was to analyze the morphological differences of the intervertebral disc and endplates at different levels. Forty-five vertebral motion segments were obtained from the spine of nine 3 to 4-year-old cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). From every spine, five discs were sectioned (C5–C6, T3–T4, T9–T10, L2–L3, L4–L5). In all the groups, tissue samples were collected and sections were stained with Masson’s trichrome, Safranine-O and van Gieson’s connective tissue stain to analyze the intervertebral discs. Immunohistochemistry was performed, using specific antibodies to detect collagens I and II. The intervertebral disc height, the maximum nucleus pulposus height, the superior and inferior endplate heights were histomorphometrically measured and different indexes were calculated to compare the differences between specimens of the same animal and between discs of the same level, and finally the differences between groups of discs of different levels. There were no differences existing in annular fibers anchoring on the endplate between discs of different levels. A positive immune reaction for type I collagen was observed in the longitudinal ligaments and in the annular region adjacent to them. Collagen II immune reactivity was found in the annulus close to the nucleus pulposus, in the endplates and in the nucleus. There were no differences between discs of different levels in the collagen I and II localization. The height of the discs varied along the spine. The smallest value was measured in T3–T4, with a larger increase caudally than cranially. The highest value was measured in L2–L3. A cervical disc was 55% the height of a lumbar one. The endplate height increased along the length of the spine. The inferior EP was always higher than the superior. The study provides a detailed structural characterization of the intervertebral disc and may be useful for further investigations on the disc degeneration process.