Abstract
Work has been done on normal tissue healing but current literature has been found deficient on healing of intervertebral disc (IVD). Although estradiol (E2) has been reported to affect the proteoglycan synthesis and water content of the cartilage, its effects on healing of IVD have not been widely explored. An experimental study using rabbit as a model was designed to observe the effects of E2 on healing of IVD, in stab wounded young male domestic rabbits with emphasis on changes in cell population and matrix. Study was done between an experimental and a control group. Animals in both the groups were operated upon and their IVDs were injured by No. 11 blade to a depth of 4mm. Experimental group was given an additional shot of E2 after the surgery. Animals were sacrificed after five (120 hrs) and seven days (168 hrs) of injury and IVDs were harvested from 120 rabbits. Slides were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and alcian blue stain. Qualitative and quantitative data was recorded for the two groups. Neutrophils and macrophages were not found in the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus. Overriding of wound gap by granulation tissue, chondrocyte production and proteoglycan content was also enhanced by E2, suggesting that it can be beneficial for healing of IVD.