Neuroanatomy of the calf brain as revealed by high‐resolution magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

Here, we want to assess the benefit of high-resolution and high-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for detailed documentation of internal brain morphology in formalin-fixed whole head specimens of the full-term calf brain (Bos taurus). Imaging was performed on a Siemens 1.5 T scanner. Optimum contrast was achieved using a 3D sequence with a flip angle of 30 degrees , repetition time (TR) of 20 ms, echo time (TE) of 6.8 ms, and an interpolated matrix of 1024 x 1024. In plane resolution was 0.25 mm. Computer-generated three-dimensional images were reconstructed from the original scans in the coronal plane. This study shows that MRI is capable to identify delicate structures in immature brain specimens. The use of MRI in comparative morphology facilitates the examination of series of brains or brain samples in a reasonable time. The comprehensive description of species- and group-specific brain features in MRI scans of Bos taurus will complement existing data for diagnostic imaging and neuromorphological research, in general, as well as for phylogenetic reconstructions.

Neuroanatomy of the equine brain as revealed by high-field (3Tesla) magnetic-resonance-imaging

“…The lentiform nucleus comprises two parts, the putamen (Figs 3–7, 20–22 and 32; S2–S6 Figs: put), lying ventro-laterally and being associated with the globus pallidus (Figs 5, 6, 21, 30 and 31; S4 and S5 Figs: gp), separated from each other by a thin sheet of white matter. In the horse, the head of the caudate nucleus quickly tapers into the tail (cauda) and the body (corpus) is really short compared to other ungulates [17].…”

Neurosurgical cadaveric and in vivo large animal training models for cranial and spinal approaches and techniques — a systematic review of the current literature

“…Ruminant brains in general have a similar organisation, with differences involving the architecture of the insula, of the diencephalon, the arrangement of the gyri in the cortex as well as the position of the visual and olfactory systems [27]. The neuromorphology of bovines is very similar to that of sheep, and the imagistic particularities can be used in translational research due to their structure [28]. Given their weight and structure, their brains can be successfully used in neurodegenerative disease investigations [29].…”

Magnetic resonance microscopy of the barramundi (Lates calcarifer) brain

“…However, the dolphin brain is nearly 3,000 times larger than the barramundi brain (1,019 cm 3 versus 0.35 cm 3 ), and if we wanted to obtain comparable resolutions between the two studies,we would have had to image the barramundi brain at 0.3 × 0.3 × 0.7 μm 3 . As a result, comparisons between our study and similar articles on other vertebrates (Marino et al, 2003; Schmidt et al, 2009; Yopak and Frank, 2009) are very difficult. Even if the samples were the same size, similar staining and imaging protocols would still be necessary for an accurate comparison.…”

“…Although MRI has been an established technique for over 30 years, few studies have attempted to image the brains of teleosts (Kabli et al, 2006; Ullmann et al, 2010a). In contrast, the neuroanatomy of the CNS within representatives of other vertebrate classes, including reptilian sauropsids (Anderson et al, 2000; Luo et al, 2009), birds (Van der Linden et al, 2004; Van Meir et al, 2006; Poirier et al, 2008; Hogers et al, 2009), and mammals (Marino et al, 2003; Ma et al, 2008; Oelschlager et al, 2008; Schmidt et al, 2009), have all been extensively examined using MRI.…”