Studies on the normal synovial fluid from the carpal joints of Iranian water buffaloes: physical and biochemical parameters

Reports on the physical and biochemical parameters of synovial fluid in buffaloes are limited. This study was conducted to evaluate the normal parameters of synovial fluid on buffaloes that can be very helpfiil in diagnosis of arthropathy. Synovial fluid of carpal joints was collected by arthrocentesis of the right and left forelimbs in 21 water buffaloes immediately after slaughtering of animals in abattoir. The quality of mucin clot and viscosity were normal in 100% of animals. The synovial fluid was colorless in 50% of cases and the other 50% had a yellowish color. Only 77.5% of samples were transparent and 22.5% were semitransparent. The range of values for different measured parameters were: AST: (27.65 ±5.9) IU/L, ALT: (15.08 ±2.75) IU/L, LDH: (36.55 ± 13.28) IU/L, glucose: (59.25 ± 3.39) mg/dL, total protein: (0.89 ± 0.055) g/dL, urea nitrogen: (7.96 ± 1) mg/dL. There was no significant difference between groups according to age, sex and side (left and right forelimbs) for all parameters except ALT and LDH which differed according to sex, ALT and LDH were significantly (P 0.05) greater in females.