Vertebral Endplate Architecture and Vascularization: Application of Micro-Computerized Tomography, a Vascular Tracer, and Immunocytochemistry in Analyses of Disc Degeneration in the Aging Sand Rat

Findings show that disc degeneration in the sand rat occurs concomitantly with marked architectural bony changes on the endplate face, including loss of smoothness and development of irregular bony margins. Vascular connections were not present between the endplate and disc; this was verified with microCT studies, in vivo vascular tracers, and traditional immunocytochemistry. The canal system within the imaged endplate was revealed to consist of a complex 3D interconnected network.