Qualitative Characterization of Elastic Fiber Distribution in the Mouse Vocal Fold: Further Development of an Animal Model

The purpose of this study was to identify the presence and characteristics of the distribution patterns of elastic fibers in a 15-week-old C57BL/6J mouse vocal fold, to confirm the presence and distribution of collagen fibers, and to describe potential gender differences in staining patterns, with the aim of further developing the mouse model for use in translational research of vocal fold physiological mechanisms. The vocal folds from 12 mice, divided equally into gender categories, were stained for elastic fibers and collagen fibers using conventional staining methods. Qualitative (subjective) visual analyses were performed by identifying the staining density of elastic and collagen fibers in the superficial half and deep half of the vocal fold lamina propria. Analyses revealed the presence of elastic fibers in both male and female vocal folds, although patterns of staining density were heavy in the deep half of the lamina propria, a location that is deeper than the greatest concentrations of elastic fibers in human vocal folds. Collagen fibers were also present in locations similar to those within human vocal folds, consistent with previously published data. The results of this study support the use of the mouse model in translational and basic science research, and this model may be especially useful for research aimed at furthering our knowledge of genetic influences on vocal fold structural development and function.