The effect of chick embryo amniotic fluid on sciatic nerve regeneration of rats

The purpose of this experimental study was to evaluate the effect of chicken amniotic fluid (AF) on a cross section of rat sciatic nerves. Thirty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 275 to 300 g, were randomized into three groups treated with (1) amniotic fluid or AF (n=10), (2) normal saline or NS (n=10), and (3) sham surgery (n=10). The AF was aspirated from the amniotic cavity of incubating chick embryos at day 14. The sciatic nerve was exposed and sharply transected. Immediate epineurial repair was then performed. AF treated animals were given 2 ml/kg of the chick embryo AF subcutaneously, once daily, five times a week for up to 2 weeks. All animals were evaluated by sciatic functional index (SFI), electrophysiology, histology, and immunohistochemistry at days 28 and 56 after surgery. The SFI difference between AF and NS groups at days 21 and 28 after operation was statistically significant (P<0.05). The number of myelinated fibers in the AF group was significantly greater than that of the NS group at day 28 (P<0.05). At days 28 and 56 after operation, the nerve conduction velocity (NCV) mean of the AF group was faster than that of the NS group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The results of this study demonstrate that chick AF can enhance peripheral nerve regeneration.