Effects of autologous bone marrow on the healing of long bones fractures reduced by external skeletal fixators in goats

This study aimed to assess the effect of autologous bone marrow on metacarpal and metatarsal fractures in goats presented to the indoor surgery clinic at the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) in Lahore, Pakistan. A total of 20 female Beetal goats weighing 20-22.5 kg and aged 8-12 months were allocated into equal groups of five animals each: G1, G2, G3, and G4. Animals in G1 were fixed with a linear external skeletal fixator, and animals in G3 were fixed with a circular fixator and treated with multiple aspirates from the bone marrow, while animals in G2 were fixed the same way as G1, and animals in G4 were fixed the same way as G3 and treated with normal saline on days 0, 14, and 28. The radiographic union scale (RUS) and weight-bearing score (WBS) were used to evaluate the post-treatment rate of repair, and sero-biochemical changes were observed on days 0, 7, 14, 28, and 45. The results showed a significant difference (P<0.05) in bone healing among groups treated with bone marrow aspirates (BMA) and groups treated with normal saline. RUS and WBS scoring in G1 and G3 animals were significantly higher (P<0.05) than in G2 and G4 animals on days 7, 14, and 28. Moreover, animals in G1 and G3 had significantly (P<0.05) greater levels of alkaline phosphatase, total hydroxyproline, and free hydroxyproline than animals in G2 and G4, respectively. In conclusion, the application of BMA at the site of fracture aids in the healing of fractured metacarpal and metatarsal bones aligned with external (linear and circular) fixators in goats.