Introduction to Animal Models of Lumbar Disc Degeneration

The intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) animal model serves as a cornerstone in‑vivo platform for investigating the pathogenic mechanisms of lower back pain in humans and for evaluating disc‑regenerative and reparative therapies, such as stem cells and growth factors. Rat or rabbit models are commonly employed, with disc degeneration induced via annulus fibrosus puncture—a classic mechanical injury technique. This model faithfully recapitulates key pathological hallmarks of human disc degeneration, including nucleus pulposus cell apoptosis, degradation of the extracellular matrix—primarily type II collagen and proteoglycans—annular tears, and narrowing of the intervertebral space. Moreover, it allows for the noninvasive visualization of the degenerative process through imaging modalities (MRI, X‑ray) and histological analysis, making it an indispensable industry‑standard model for assessing the efficacy of agents that promote nucleus pulposus regeneration, exert anti‑inflammatory and analgesic effects, or reverse fibrosis.

Service Advantages of the Aniphe BioLab Lumbar Disc Degeneration Animal Model Platform

Aniphe BioLab’s animal model platform for intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) focuses on research into spinal degenerative diseases. It has established disc‑degeneration models induced by acupuncture, offering clients standardized, systematic services for model development and efficacy evaluation.

	Modeling is stable and reliable. Standardized surgical protocols ensure controllable degenerative severity, with excellent model reproducibility and consistency.
	Multidimensional evaluation system It encompasses evaluation metrics such as MRI, X-ray, micro-CT, histopathology, and intervertebral disc degeneration scoring.
	Extensive experience in pharmacological efficacy evaluation. Supports research on small-molecule drugs, cell therapies, exosomes, biomaterials, and tissue-engineered products.
	Enhanced testing platform HE staining, Masson’s trichrome staining, IHC, qPCR, and protein expression analysis can be performed.
	End-to-end QA management Strictly adhere to SOPs and the quality management system to ensure that experimental procedures are standardized, data are accurate and complete, and traceability is maintained.
	Customized Research Services The modeling approach, observation period, and endpoint evaluation protocol can be tailored to meet the specific requirements of each research project.

Modeling cycle	8–16 weeks
Laboratory animals	SD rats, New Zealand rabbits
Positive drug	Recombinant human growth differentiation factor‑5 (rhGDF‑5), bone morphogenetic protein‑7 (BMP‑7/OP‑1), platelet‑rich plasma (PRP), mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) injections, and anti‑TNF‑α monoclonal antibodies (such as infliximab), among others.
Application areas	Research on the molecular mechanisms of intervertebral disc degeneration (including inflammation, apoptosis, and matrix-degrading enzymes), screening of injectable biologics, and in vivo evaluation of the regenerative efficacy of stem cells and tissue-engineered nucleus pulposus.

Construction of an Animal Model of Lumbar Disc Degeneration

The acupuncture‑based lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration model (percutaneous annulus puncture) is one of the most widely used animal models of disc degeneration. During model establishment, under imaging guidance (X‑ray or C‑arm fluoroscopy), a specially calibrated puncture needle is percutaneously inserted into the target disc’s annulus fibrosus; in some models, the needle is further advanced into the nucleus pulposus, where it is briefly held or rotated to disrupt the annulus integrity and induce leakage of the nucleus pulposus. Following injury, progressive degenerative changes emerge, including loss of disc height, reduction in nucleus pulposus cellularity, decreased proteoglycan content, and extracellular matrix degradation. This model is characterized by ease of operation, minimal invasiveness, controllable degenerative progression, and high reproducibility, enabling it to closely mimic the pathological alterations observed in human disc degeneration. It is extensively employed in studies of the mechanisms underlying disc degeneration and in the evaluation of therapeutic efficacy for drugs, stem cells, exosomes, and tissue‑engineering–based repair strategies.