Radiological Investigation of Guinea Pig (Cavia porcellus) Lumbar Vertebral Morphology - A Biomechanical Aspect

Abstract

Numerous studies are based on the use of animal models; however, in bipedal andtetrapedal organisms there are significant differences in the biomechanics of the spinalcolumn, which can significantly impair the quality and applicability of the resultsobtained. The aim of this study is to obtain basic data on the morphometric parametersof guinea pig lumbar vertebrae, the analysis of which will indicate the location of thebiggest mechanical load. The lumbar vertebra morphometry test was performed bymeans of X-ray imageing obtained from 12 guinea pigs, with equal numbers of malesand females. The results of investigations show that guinea pig lumbar vertebrae havean irregular trapezoid geometry and that the measured body lengths of L4 and L5 arethe largest. The height parameters determined in the medial level showed that L4 hadthe most concave body. Moreover, L4 had the greatest depth of the spinal canal at thesame measurement level. Consequently, in guinea pigs, the greatest load is in the L4region, unlike in humans, where, due to the axial load of the spinal column, the highestpressure is exerted on the last lumbar vertebrae.