DISTRIBUTION AND MORPHOLOGY OF MECHANORECEPTORS IN SHOULDER AND ELBOW JOINTS CAPSULE IN THE GAZELLES (GAZELLA SUBGUTTUROSA)

This study aimed to detect nerves taking part innervation in gazelles' (Gazella subgutturosa) shoulder and elbow joint capsule and to classify mechanoreceptor responsible for this innervation via histological and immunohistochemical methods. In order to detect quantity of the neural elements 12 adult gazelle cadavers (6 females and 6 males) were used. Capsules taken from shoulder and elbow joint were fixed by formaldehyde. Histological structures of mechanoreceptors were detected with haematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining. Low-affinity neurotrophic receptor p75, protein gene product 9.5 (PGP-9.5) and protein S-100 were classified via immunohistochemical staining method. The nerve endings of positive staining were counted by light microscope at 400x magnification. Histological examination revealed four types of nerve endings in the joint capsule. Free nerve endings, Ruffini, Golgi-like and Pacini nerving ends were detected in descending order. The more mechanoreceptors were detected in elbow joint than shoulder joint. It was concluded that the mechanoreceptors taking part in proprioceptive function of joints were highly observed in shoulder and elbow joint capsule. This strong innervation was thought as a result of gazelles' fast and nimbly movement ability.

Automated summary

Through histological and immunohistochemical methods, this study identified four types of nerve endings in the shoulder and elbow joint capsule of gazelles, with more mechanoreceptors detected in the elbow joint compared to the shoulder joint. This suggests a strong innervation in the shoulder and elbow joint capsule of gazelles, potentially contributing to their fast and nimble movement ability.