Sedat Aydoğdu

This study aimed to evaluate size, shape, and allometric patterns of the ventral sphenoid region in domestic dogs and cats using a three-dimensional geometric morphometric approach. A total of 45 specimens were analyzed, including 21 dogs and 24 cats. Twelve anatomical landmarks were placed on the ventral sphenoid region and analyzed following Generalized Procrustes Analysis. Shape variation was assessed using principal component analysis and permutation-based multivariate models. Dogs exhibited significantly larger centroid sizes compared to cats. A clear shape differentiation between species was detected and remained significant after accounting for size effects, indicating that interspecific differences are not solely explained by scaling. While centroid size differences among cat subgroups were not statistically significant, shape differences persisted both before and after size correction. Pairwise comparison revealed that the Scottish Fold group showed the most pronounced and consistent divergence. Allometric relationships between size and shape were significant across the entire dataset, and the interaction between size and group suggested partially distinct growth-related shape trajectories in dogs and cats. Principal component analyses indicated that the major shape variation was associated with changes in midline elongation and lateral expansion, as well as three-dimensional repositioning of midline and lateral components. These findings demonstrate that the ventral sphenoid represents a biologically meaningful basicranial module capable of capturing both interspecific differences and sizeindependent shape variation among cat subgroups.

Background: The sella turcica is an important skull formation due to its close anatomical relationship with the pituitary gland. Therefore, the shape and morphometry of the sella turcica provide crucial preliminary information for the determination of cases. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the morphometry of the sella turcica in cats and its relationship with gender and skull morphometry using computed tomography (CT). Methods: In this study, CT images of 18 female and 15 male adult cats were used for morphometric measurements. Six different morphometric measurements of the sella turcica were performed on CT images. Similarly, seven different morphometric measurements were made on the skull and six different indices of the skull were calculated. Additionally, 3D modelling of the hypophyseal fossa, dorsum sellae and tuberculum sellae that form the sella turcica was performed. Results: Statistically significant gender‐based differences were observed in sella diameter, sella height cranialis and sella width ( p < 0.01). In the morphometric measurements obtained from the skull, differences were observed in skull length, cranial length, external height of cranium, internal length of the cranium and external length of the cranium ( p < 0.01). Similarly, a difference was found in cranial width ( p < 0.05). All measurements obtained from the skull were determined to be higher in male cats. Differences were observed in the cranial index, internal cranium index and external cranium index, and these indices were found to be higher in females. A strong positive correlation was observed between sella diameter and sella width. Similarly, a very strong positive correlation was found between skull length and cranial length. Conclusion: In this study, the morphology and morphometry of the sella turcica in cats were revealed. In sella turcica and skull morphometry, a strong positive correlation was found between sella diameter/sella width and skull length/cranial length. The findings obtained from the sella turcica and skull, which is clinically important in humans, are thought to contribute to future clinical studies in cats. Additionally, the study's findings are expected to contribute to characterizing the morphometry of the domestic cat's skull.

Artificial intelligence models, which have begun to be used in every field of science in recent years, have also started to come to the forefront in the classification of avians using bones. This study aimed to identify breeds of domestic fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus L. 1758) using morphometric measurements obtained from the tarsometatarsus bone and machine learning. A total of 328 tarsometatarsus specimens from two different modern domestic fowl breeds were used. A model was developed by performing 10 different morphometric measurements on each tarsometatarsus, and 3280 data points were obtained. Before model development, data cleaning and necessary assessments were carried out, and gaps were identified. In pre-processing and data partitioning, 70% of the data was used for training, and 30% was reserved for testing the developed model. To determine the differences between breeds, evaluations were performed using classical supervised learning algorithms in machine learning. Random forest (RF), support vector machine with radial kernel (SVM-RBF), and the generalized linear model (GLM, logistic regression) were used for model development, while model validation was performed using cross-validation (CV) metrics. After model validation, variable importance, feature selection, correlation analysis, dimensionality reduction, and multicollinearity were performed. The developed model, using morphological measurements obtained from the tarsometatarsus, distinguishes between breeds with high accuracy. The discriminative signal is extremely strong, allowing multiple modeling strategies (tree-based, kernel-based, and linear) to perfectly distinguish between the two breeds. Among the morphometric measurements, Ac (extension of the trochlea metatarsi IV) and Bmit (breadth of the middle trochlea) were found to be the strongest distinguishing features. This developed model combines morphometric data and artificial intelligence to offer an innovative method for scaling, accelerating, or improving applications in science. By expanding the model’s database with measurements obtained from the tarsometatarsus bones of different breeds, it was demonstrated that breed differences can be quickly and accurately determined using a minimal number of measurements from tarsometatarsus bones.

The foramen magnum (FM) and occipital condyles (OC) are important anatomical features in anthropology and zooarchaeology for the identification of breeds, species, and gender. The present study aimed to determine the gender of dogs using morphometric measurements of the FM and OC. A total of 27 healthy dogs without any pathology, 11 females and 16 males, were used in this study. Morphometric measurements were performed on tomography images of the dogs heads. Before morphometric measurements were made on the images obtained in DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) format, interactive MPR (Multi-Planar Reformat) and positioning were performed in ITK-SNAP software. After rotation and positioning, eight different morphometric measurements were performed on the FM and OC using ITK-SNAP software. According to the morphometric measurement results, no statistical difference was determined in the length of the right OC(LROC), length of the left OC (LLOC), width of the right OC (WROC), width of the left OC (WLOC), intercondylar width (ICW), intercondylar distance (ICD), and internal width of the FM (IWFM) in female and male dogs. A difference was observed in the internal length of the FM (ILFM) parameter, which was found to be statistically significantly higher in males. It is thought that the morphometric measurement results obtained from the FM and OC of dogs will contribute to zooarchaeological and anthropological studies examining the differences between gender and head structure in dogs.

Morphometric measurements and biomech anical tests are very crucial in determining the effects of drugs and chemicals on bones. L-thyroxine is often used instead of thyroid hormone in research conducted on experimental animals. The aim of the study is to examine the effects of L-thyroxine on the morphometric and mechanical properties of rat bones. A total of 16 healthy male Wistar Albino rats were used, including control and L-thyroxine groups. After the experimental process, the left/right humerus and femur were resected from all animals. Morphometric measurements were performed on the bones. Then, three indices of the bones were calculated using the measurement results. Three-point bending was performed to determine the effect of L-thyroxine on the mechanical properties of the bones. Humerus maximum length and proximal width difference was determined. The maximum length and proximal width of the right humerus were lower in rats that received L-thyroxine. Differences were observed in the weight, diaphysis diameter and weight/length index of the right femur. These parameters were higher in the control group. No statistical difference was detected between L-thyroxine and control groups in mechanical properties. Maximum loading, stiffness, strength and elastic modulus in the humerus were observed to be higher in the control group. However, stiffness, strength and elastic modulus in the femur were determined to be higher in the L-thyroxine group. According to the correlation between the mechanical properties of bones and conventional indices, a high correlation was found between elastic modulus and weight/length index in the humerus. In the femur, a high negative correlation was observed between maximum loading and the weight/length index. This study showed that L-thyroxine had an effect on the morphometry of long bones in rats but did not affect their mechanical properties. L-thyroxine has been observed to mainly affect the bones in the right side of the body.

Background: The metacarpus, one of the forelimb bones, is an important bone used in zooarchaeological studies and estimating shoulder height in sheep. Morphometric measurements were performed using different methods on the metacarpus of different sheep breeds.Objectives: The study aims to measure the metacarpal bones morphometrically in different sheep breeds and model them with a 3D scanner. In addition, the compatibility of the two different methods was evaluated by comparing the measurements made with digital calipers and 3D models.Methods: In the study, metacarpal bones of eight adult, healthy male Akkaraman sheep and eight adult, healthy male Merino sheep were used. After the bones were macerated, 17 different morphometric measurements were performed with a digital caliper. Then, 3D models of the bones were obtained using a 3D scanner. The same morphometric measurements were made on the models using the scanner software.Results: According to the morphometric measurement results made with digital caliper, no statistical difference was observed in greatest length (GL) and antero‐posterior diameter of external trochlea of condylus medialis (DEM) parameters in Akkaraman and Merino sheep. Differences were observed in all other parameters. In the measurements made on the model, no statistical difference was observed in the GL, DEM, and antero‐posterior diameter of external trochlea of condylus lateralis (DEL) parameters. Differences were observed in all other parameters. In both methods, it was observed that the values belonging to the Merino sheep were higher in the parameters where statistical differences were detected. The agreement between the two methods was revealed by the Bland–Altman analysis. It was determined that the morphometric measurements performed were within the limits of agreement according to the Bland–Altman analysis. It was observed that the two measurement methods within the limits of agreement could be used as alternatives to each other.Conclusion: In conclusion, it is thought that the morphometric measurement results obtained from Akkaraman and Merino metacarpus will contribute to research examining the differences between breeds in sheep, as well as zooarchaeological and taxonomy studies.

The ossa coxae are the bones that connect the hindlimbs to the axial skeleton. The right and left os coxae join at the median plane to form the pelvis. In this study, variations in pelvis shape and the asymmetric structure of the pelvis were investigated across different classes of dogs. To achieve this, computed tomography images of the pelvis were obtained from 35 dogs, and 3D modelling of the pelvis was created. Subsequently, 45 landmarks were identified on these models. As a result of the Principal Component Analysis, the shape variation was observed in the pelvic canal and crista iliaca . Directional asymmetry between Principal Component 1 and Principal Component 2 accounted for 33.84% of the total variation, while fluctuating asymmetry contributed 23.66%. Canonical variate analysis revealed that canonical variate (CV) 1 explained 56.56% of the total variation between groups, with CV 2 explained 28.98%. Male dogs exhibited greater pelvic variation than females. Procrustes ANOVA indicated that the greatest proportion of shape variation corresponds to the effect of differences among individuals. While directional asymmetry was statistically significant, fluctuating asymmetry was not. Male dogs displayed more pronounced pelvic shape asymmetry, typically towards the right. Gundogs had a narrower pelvic canal and a wide crista iliaca , whereas terriers had a wider pelvic canal and smaller crista iliaca in shape. Geometric morphometry enables statistical analysis and the derivation of average shapes from samples, making it a vital tool in veterinary anatomy. This study provides insights into pelvic geometric morphometry across different classes of dogs.

Over the last two decades, neuroscience has witnessed an explosion in the utilization of non-invasive imaging methods (particularly MRI) that are used to investigate to study the brain. Providing accurate and detailed imaging, MRI has a significant impact on figuring out the anatomy and functioning of the brain. In recent years, researchers studying on veterinary science have seen MRI as an indispensable tool themselves. It is essential to understand the anatomy of the normal brain in order to explain many of the pathological processes. This review focused on neuroanatomical studies, atlases and templates generated from the brains of domestic animals (cat, dog, pig, horse, donkey, cattle, sheep, goat, camel) using MRI from the 1980s to the present. Its data were summarized under three main parts. Firstly, the cross-sectional anatomy of the brain created using MRI was examined. Afterward, digital atlases and templates, which have had an essential place in modern neuroimaging analysis (such as registration, segmentation and three-dimensional reconstruction) in recent years, were summarized. Finally, in vivo or ex vivo studies in which crucial white matter tracts in the brain are three-dimensionally modeled with DTI (Diffusion Tensor Imaging) in domestic mammals were reviewed. Several studies examining the neocortex by DTI were also included in the review in this section. There were also neuroanatomy studies conducted with MRI in several specific species in this review. In conclusion, this review focused on the importance of MRI in neuroimaging of the brain in domestic animals.

El estudio tuvo como objetivo examinar los efectos del azoximetano (AOM), el disulfuro de dialilo (DADS) y el aceite de maíz en el húmero y el fémur de ratas. En el estudio se utilizaron 40 ratas Wistar Albinas macho, de 12 semanas de edad. Los animales se dividieron en cuatro grupos diferentes (Control, AOM, DADS y Aceite de maíz). Después del período experimental, todos los animales fueron anestesiados y sacrificados mediante dislocación cervical. Húmero y fémur huesos largos resecados de todos los grupos de animales. Se midieron la longitud máxima, el ancho proximal, el ancho distal, el diámetro de la diáfisis, el espesor de la corteza y el diámetro del cavidad medular de los huesos. Después de las mediciones morfométricas, se calcularon el índice 1, el índice 2, el índice de robustez y el índice de peso óseo/longitud ósea para los huesos. No se observaron diferencias en las mediciones e índices morfométricos realizados en el húmero. Se detectó una diferencia estadística en el ancho proximal y el índice de robustez entre los grupos en el fémur. Se observó una diferencia entre el grupo AOM y los grupos Control/aceite de maíz en el ancho proximal. Se detectó diferencia entre el grupo AOM y el grupo Control en el índice de robustez, y se determinó que la AOM provocó una disminución en la densidad y fuerza en los huesos. Se cree que los hallazgos obtenidos en este estudio contribuirán a la evaluación de los efectos de la investigación del cáncer utilizando AOM en huesos de ratas.

Stereology is a discipline that allows us to obtain quantitative information about the geometric structure of three‐dimensional objects. In this study, the volume of grey matter (GM), white matter (WM), and lateral ventricle (LV) of the cerebral hemispheres (CH) in sheep and goats were calculated. For this purpose, six healthy male sheep and goat brains (1–2 years old) without any anomaly were used. Brains were fixed with 10% formaldehyde in the skull. The skull was opened using standard anatomical dissection methods, and the brains were carefully removed. Brain weight and volume were measured (using Archimedes' principle) after the meninges were removed. The cerebral hemispheres were separated from the other parts of the brain by a section made in front of the rostral colliculus. In the same way, the weight and volume of the cerebral hemispheres were measured. Afterward, the cerebral hemispheres were blocked with agar, and transversal cross sections (from rostral to caudal) with an average thickness of 3.42 mm were taken from the cerebral hemispheres. Grey matter was stained with Berlin blue macroscopic staining method. The stained cross sections were scanned at 600 dpi resolution, and a point counting grid was placed on the images with the ImageJ software. Cavalieri's principle calculated the surface area and volume measurements of the grey matter, white matter, and lateral ventricle. GM, WM, and LV volumes in sheep and goat cerebral hemispheres were calculated as 54.94, 21.48 and 3.06 mL in sheep, 57.46, 24.13 and 3.12 mL in goats, respectively. The percentages of these structures in the total hemisphere volume were 71.83%, 28.17% and 4.00% in sheep, 70.42%, 29.58% and 3.82% in goats, respectively. Asymmetry was not observed in cerebral hemispheres in both species. A difference was found in the WM, LV and LV: CH ratios in the right/left comparison of the goat (p < 0.05). In comparing sheep and goats, a significant difference was observed in WM right, WM left, WM total, CH left and CH total (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the cerebral hemispheres' grey matter and white matter ratio are frequently used to diagnose neurodegenerative diseases. In recent years, the increase in neurodegenerative disease models in farm animals has been enormous. It is thought that these values obtained from healthy animals in the current study will be important for such experimental studies in the future.