The physical properties, cytological content, enzyme activities and biochemical composition of synovial fluid obtained by arthrocentesis from normal fetlock, intercaropal, tarsal and stifle joints of cattle were studied.
Synovial fluid obtained from normal joints is clear, pale yellow non coagulable liquid and free of flocculent material, with a normal mucin clot quality. Total volume varied in direct proportion to the size of the joint from which the synovial fluid is collected.
Normal synovial fluid exhibited no erythrocytes and presents a low leukocytes count where lymphocytes predominated followed by monocy
tes.
The synovial fluid of healthy animals have activities of alkaline phospha tase, and glutamic oxalacetic, glutamic pyruvic and gamma-glutamic transaminases as well as lactic dehydrogenase, which are lower than the respective serum levels of such enzymes.
Total proteins and albumin contents of normal synovial fluid were lower than that of serum. The synovial fluid of healthy cows contains nearly the similar levels for sugar, urea, uric acid, inorganic phosphorus, chlorides, calcium and magnesium as in serum. synovial fluid has a traces from cholesterol.