<p><strong>Background:</strong> Upward fixation of patella is common clinical malady in cattle due to extensive movement of stifle joint during the locomotory activity because of unknown etiology. However, at certain peak point (overstretching of ligament) or due to occupational trauma (wear and tear), ligament become flaccid and weak leading to patellar displacement and lameness. Patellar ligaments play crucial role in stifle joint movement and any functional or structural alterations in the ligaments can lead to acute to chronic lameness in cattle. The present study was carried out to evaluate the structural changes in collagen fibril material in medial patellar ligament in cattle suffering<br />
with patellar luxation.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods:</strong> Tissue specimens of medial patellar ligament of normal (control animal) and affected cattle (luxation of patella) were harvested and preserved for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) study as per standard procedure at RUSKA Laboratories, College of Veterinary Science, PVNRTVU, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, India.<br />
<br />
<strong>Result:</strong> The incidence of medial patellar luxation was higher in females as compared to male cattle and the duration of lameness was between 3-12 months (7.35&plusmn;0.56 months) characterized by dragging of toe, outward jerky movement of affected limb, extension of limb and change in appearance of gait during walk and flexion of fetlock. Scanning electron study of normal ligament showed dense, uniformly and compact arrangement of collagen fiber bundles with morphometric thickness was 3.66&plusmn;0.58 &micro;m. whereas in luxated patella cases, medial ligament showed derangement in collagen fiber bundles. The collagen fibers were arranged irregular and wavy with morphometric thickness of collagen was 2.58&plusmn;0.03 &micro;m. Electron microscopy of the normal ligament showed presence of thick collagen fiber bundles packed in dense and compact arrangement. Electron microscopy of affected ligament had degenerative changes of the fibers characterized by thin collagen fiber bundles which were loosely and disorganized arranged fibrils. The present study concludes that, luxation of patella was common locomotory disorders in cattle due to derangement in collagen fiber bundles with drastic reduction in thickness of collagen fibers, increased gap between two collagen fibers, broken and overlapping fiber bundles and surface of collagen fibers appeared irregular rough via scanning and electron microscopy analysis.</p>


<p>Collagen Fibril Morphological Study of Medial Patellar Ligament of Stifle Joint Affected with Patellar Luxation in Cattle</p>


<div>There is no previously reported information on the morphological characteristics of pelvic limb long bones (femur, tibiotarsus and tarsometatarsus) in crested serpent eagle and brown wood owl. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate morphological and biometrical characteristics of pelvic limb long bones in crested serpent eagle and brown wood owl. The femur consisted of a curved shaft and two extremities. The shaft was wider proximally and distally and presented medial, lateral, anterior and lateral surfaces. The anterior, medial and lateral surfaces were smooth and continuous in both the species. An intermuscular line called linea aspera was present on the anterior and posterior surfaces in both the species. The proximal and distal extremities of the femur were almost of equal size. The proximal extremity presented a distinct, hemispherical head which was located in the level of the trochanter major in both the species. The distal extremity furnished a trochlea anteriorly for patella and medial, lateral condyles posteriorly for tibiotarsus bone. The patella was small and triangular and consisted of two surfaces, two borders, a base and an apex in both the species. Tibiotarsus was the longest bone in both the species which was formed by the fusion of distal extremity of the tibia with the proximal row of the tarsal bones. The proximal and distal extremity of the tibiotarsus consisted of medial and lateral condyles. In both the species, the fibula was a rod-shaped bone and reached up to distal third of the lateral border of the tibiotarsus. The tarsometatarsus was a long bone but smaller than tibiotarsus in both the species. Various biometrical parameters of the pelvic limb long bones were more in the crested serpent eagle as compared to the brown wood owl due to species differences.&nbsp;</div>


<div>Comparative Gross Anatomical Studies on Pelvic Limb Long Bones of Crested Serpent Eagle (<em>Spilornis cheela</em>) and Brown Wood Owl (<em>Strix leptogrammica</em>)</div>


Collagen Fibril Morphological Study of Medial Patellar Ligament of Stifle Joint Affected with Patellar Luxation in Cattle

Comparative Gross Anatomical Studies on Pelvic Limb Long Bones of Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela) and Brown Wood Owl (Strix leptogrammica)