Cover American Journal of Veterinary Research
American Journal of Veterinary Research
ISSN:
0002-9645
Publication Date:
01 Jan 2014

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Editorial Type:
Diagnostic Imaging

Abdominal anatomic features and reference values determined by use of ultrasonography in healthy common rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Tommaso Banzato DVM, PhD1, Luca Bellini DVM, PhD2, Barbara Contiero3, Andrea Martin4, Sema Balikçi DVM5, and Alessandro Zotti DVM, PhD6
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  • 1 Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padua, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padua, Italy.
  • | 2 Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padua, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padua, Italy.
  • | 3 Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padua, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padua, Italy.
  • | 4 Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padua, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padua, Italy.
  • | 5 Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padua, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padua, Italy.
  • | 6 Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padua, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padua, Italy.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.75.1.67
Volume/Issue:
Volume 75: Issue 1
Online Publication Date:
01 Jan 2014
Restricted access
Reprints and Permissions Purchase Article

Abstract

Objective—To determine ultrasonographic features and reference values of the anatomy of the abdomen of common rats (Rattus norvegicus).

Animals—20 adult male and 20 adult female rats.

Procedures—A complete abdominal ultrasonographic examination was performed with the rats sedated. The cadavers of 4 rats were used for anatomic comparisons. Two cadavers were dissected and 2 cadavers were frozen and then cross-sectioned by use of an electric bandsaw. Slices were cleaned with water and photographed on each side. Correlations between variables were determined.

Results—The ultrasonographic anatomy of the abdomen was determined, including measurements of the kidneys and adrenal glands and thickness of the walls of the stomach (saccus caecus, fundus, and pylorus), duodenum, and cecum. A significant positive correlation between kidney size and body weight was detected. The dorsoventral measurements of the left and right adrenal gland were significantly different, regardless of sex. Dorsoventral measurements of the right adrenal gland were significantly different between males and females.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The ultrasonographic images and data provided an atlas of the ultrasonographic anatomy of common rats that may be useful to veterinary radiologists, clinicians, and researchers.

Contributor Notes

Address correspondence to Dr. Zotti (alessandro.zotti@unipd.it).