The Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scale (numbering 0–21) is a point scale used in the analyzation of the activity of the limb joints of animals. Its locomotion rate is based on various aspects of the hind limb function like the weight support and toe clearance, just to mention a few [37]. All results were obtained at time points of 2 weeks to 8 weeks post-operation along with the blinded examination that was executed by two scorers.
The Inclined plane test
The rats’ ability to maintain postural stability was evaluated with an inclined plane (IP) test. The animals were placed on an inclined plane, and the maximum inclination of the plane at which the rat could maintain itself for 5 seconds was recorded. This was denoted as the rat's functional ability [38]. Regarding the motor function, the animals were classified using a 5-point scale as follows:
Grade 5 = able to walk normally;
Grade 4 = able to walk with either mild spasticity or in-coordination with the hind limbs;
Grade 3 = able to stand but unable to walk;
Grade 2 = minimal voluntary hind limb movements but unable to stand; and
Grade 1 = no voluntary hind limb movements [39].
The Perfusion and Tissue Processing
The animals in each group were sacrificed at time points of 2 weeks …show more content…
Then, the sections were dehydrated in xylene before being mounted with Neutral Balsam. Five transverse sections from each animal were picked out and 3 vision fields randomly selected per section. They were then photographed under 20X magnification using the Nikon TE-300 microscope. The number of neuronal cells per field was counted on the anterior horns as well as the neurons with a well defined nuclear and cell body rich in endoplasmic