ANALYSIS OF SYNOVIAL-FLUID TAKEN FROM PIG S WITH HEALTHY AND ARTHRITIC JOINTS

From pigs of both sexes 182 samples of synovial fluid were collected. Samples were taken from healthy carpal and tarsal joints, carpal and t arsal joints showing septic arthritis and tarsal joints with aseptic a rthritis. Synovial fluid analysis included bacteriological, cytologica l and biochemical examination. A combination of the parameters cell co unt, differential cell count (especially percentage of monocytes and n eutrophil granulocytes), pH, total protein, LDH, and alpha-HBDH turned out to be a most valuable diagnostic aid to clinical, bacteriological and gross examination. The blood values for glucose, urea, creatinine and inorganic phosphorus correlated closely with the synovial fluid v alues. In order to investigate the possibility of dilution of synovial fluid for biochemical analysis equal amounts were mixed with isotonic saline solution or with hyaluronidase solution. The isotonic saline s olution was found to be a more suitable diluent.