Impact Of Gonadal Status On Ultrasonographic Renal Parenchymal Dimensions In Healthy Cats

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of gonadal status on ultrasonographic renal parenchymal dimensions in healthy cats.MethodsForty healthy cats (10 intact males, 10 intact females, 10 castrated males and 10 spayed females) presented to the Division of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, and the Diagnostic Imaging Unit at The Small Animal Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University. They were ultrasonographically examined to assess renal length, aortic luminal diameter, cortical thickness and medullary thickness.ResultsRegardless of gonadal status, the renal length, aortic luminal diameter, cortical thickness and medulla thickness of males were greater than those of females (P <0.05). In general, neutered cats had thicker medullae (0.36 +/- 0.08 cm) and higher mean renal length:aortic luminal diameter ratio (12.15 +/- 1.48) than intact cats (0.32 +/- 0.08 cm and 11.22 +/- 1.37 cm, respectively) (P <0.05), but no differences were observed in renal length, cortical thickness or aortic luminal diameter. Interestingly, when comparing between genders with relatively equal body weight, only gender had an impact on renal length.Conclusions and relevanceGonadal status has an effect on medullary thickness and mean renal length:aortic luminal diameter ratio.