Examining the morphometric features of bulbus oculi in Van cats by using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging

This study was conducted to obtain the morphometric and volumetric measurements of bulbus oculi of Van cats, growing around the city of Van in Turkey and named after here, by using computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and to reveal the biometric differences of these measurement values between the sexes. A total of 16 adult Van cats including 8 females and 8 males were used in the study. The animals were anesthetized with the combination of xylazine and ketamine. The anesthetized animals were scanned by using CT and MRI devices and their images were obtained. Then, the morphometric and volumetric measurements of bulbus oculi were calculated from these images using the software (Syngo CT Software) in the workstation and their statistical analysis was performed. Upon the examination of the morphometric and volumetric analysis results, it was determined that while W (bodyweight) and ACL (Left Anterior Chamber) values were higher in male cats, DVLL (Dorsoventral length of the left lens) value was higher in female cats. These differences between the sexes were statistically significant (P<0.05). The volumetric measurement values of bulbus oculi and lens were determined to be averagely 4.60 +/- 0.27 cm(3) and 0.67 +/- 0.09 cm(3), respectively. In conclusion, the statistical differences of biometric values of bulbus oculi between male and female Van cats were determined by using CT and MRI. It is thought that the present study would contribute to the ophthalmological applications and the students receiving anatomy education.