Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances

Year: 2014
Volume: 13
Issue: 11
Page No. 653 - 659

The Morphometric Properties of the Lumbar Spinal Cord Segments in Horses

Authors : M. Lutfi Selcuk and Sadullah Bahar

Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine morphometric features of lumbar segments of the spinal cord of horses. Spinal cords of six horses from different breeds and sexes were used. Lumbar parts of the cords were dissected out from vertebral columns and segmentation was performed. Macroscopic measurements were done on the segments and then routine histological procedure was applied. Segments were sliced transversally at 3.8 mm thickness. Samples were cut at 10 μm thickness and stained with May-Grunwald-Giemsa. Slides images were used by stereo investigator. Diameter measurements were carried out and area and volume calculations were performed by using Cavalieri principle. The weight, length and volume ratios of the lumbar parts to spinal cord were 14.7, 13 and 14%, respectively. A decrease in lengths of the segments from L1 to L6 was observed. In the microscopic analysis, L4 and L5 had the biggest transverse diameters however L6 had the largest vertical diameter. L5 had the largest values of cross-sectional and white matter area however L6 had the largest value of gray matter. Volumes of all segments except for L6 were similar to each other and the largest volume of gray matter and the largest volume of white matter were observed in L5 and L3, respectively. It was determined that the volume ratio of gray matter to the volumes of segments increased from L1 to L6 whereas volume of white matter was decreased in those segments. In conclusion, the data obtained will contribute to the morphology of related region and the further studies.

How to cite this article:

M. Lutfi Selcuk and Sadullah Bahar, 2014. The Morphometric Properties of the Lumbar Spinal Cord Segments in Horses. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 13: 653-659.

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