Value and Limitations of Using the Bovine Tail as a Model for the Human Lumbar Spine

In Brief Study Design. The contents of DNA, proteoglycan, type II collagen, and denatured type II collagen in the bovine coccygeal intervertebral discs were examined in situ in relation to disc level, age, and tissue region. Objective. To determine whether bovine coccygeal discs are a suitable model to study human lumbar discs. Summary of Background Data. Bovine coccygeal discs have been suggested as a suitable alternative model because they are readily available, in contrast to human discs, and represent a common source of tissue in the disc field. However, it is not known whether the changes in matrix contents in bovine coccygeal discs are similar to those found in the human lumbar spine. Methods. Intervertebral discs from bovine tails were…