Objective To identify the properties of nerve fibers of dogs by immunohistochemical staining method.Methods Intact bone blocks above the inferior alveolar nerve canal were cut from the medial of the second premolar to the distal of the third premolar of healthy adult Beagle dogs of 18 months, embedded to make hard tissue sections, stained with S100 and neurofilament protein (NFP) antibodies, and finally observed the nerve distribution under the microscope.Results The distribution of S100 positive tissue in the periodontal ligament of dogs showed the following patterns: bundles of densely gathered rings with different diameters, filaments accompanied by lumens, free endings and deep-dyeing oval lamellasome. The location of NFP positive tissue was similar to that of S100 positive tissue, but the distribution of these NFP positive filaments with various diameters showed largely as bundles, free ending and branches scattering in periodontal membrane.Conclusion We may firstly distinguish the structure of the nerve fibers in periodontal ligament of nerve distribution, and then judge the categories of the nerve fibers by S100 immunohistochemistry furtherly according to comparison of the thickness of neural axon by NFP immunohistochemistry, and finally distinct the function and attribute of the nerve fibers in the periodontal ligament of dogs.
