Morphometrical study of the cat cerebellum using unbiased design-based stereology.

ABSTRACT

The objective of the present study was to investigate the morphometrical features of the cat cerebellum using design-based stereology. Cerebellar hemispheres from four male cats were examined. Isotropic, uniform random sections were obtained and processed for light microscopy. Cerebellar total volume (V), white (WM) and grey matter (GM) volume fractions, and the volumes of the molecular and granular layers were measured using the Cavalieri's estimator and the point counting system. Cerebellar surface area was estimated using test lines, and Purkinje cellular and nuclear volumes were analysed using the nucleator technique. The volume of the cat cerebellar hemispheres was 2.06 ± 0.29 cm3 . The relative volume fractions of the GM and WM were 70.6 ± 2.6% and 29.3 ± 2.6%, respectively. The surface area of the cerebellar hemisphere was 68.2 ± 17.8 cm2 . The volumes of the molecular and granular layers were estimated at 0.89 ± 0.16 cm3 and 0.56 ± 0.1 cm3 , respectively. The Purkinje cell volumes were found to be ranging from 1,717 to 28,489 µm3 , of which cells with a perikaryon volume of 6,994 µm3 had a higher incidence. The Purkinje nuclear volume was estimated at 440-3,561 µm3 , and nuclei with a volume of 1,252 µm3 were the most frequently occurring ones. Our data might contribute to the veterinary comparative neuroanatomy knowledge, help develop experimental studies in this field, and possibly lead to advancement in the diagnosis and treatment of nervous diseases in the cat.