Non-invasive estimation of in vivo optical properties and hemodynamic parameters of domestic animals: a preliminary study on horses, dogs, and sheep.
Abstract: Biosensors applied in veterinary medicine serve as a noninvasive method to determine the health status of animals and, indirectly, their level of welfare. Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has been suggested as a technology with this application. This study presents preliminary time domain NIRS measurements of optical properties (absorption coefficient, reduced scattering coefficient, and differential pathlength factor) and hemodynamic parameters (concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin, deoxygenated hemoglobin, total hemoglobin, and tissue oxygen saturation) of tissue domestic animals, specifically of skeletal muscle (4 dogs and 6 horses) and head (4 dogs and 19 sheep). The results suggest that TD NIRS measurements on domestic animals are feasible, and reveal significant variations in the optical and hemodynamic properties among tissue types and species. In horses the different optical and hemodynamic properties of the measured muscles can be attributed to the presence of a thicker adipose layer over the muscle in the Longissimus Dorsi and in the Gluteus Superficialis as compared to the Triceps Brachii. In dogs the absorption coefficient is higher in the head (temporalis musculature) than in skeletal muscles. The smaller absorption coefficient for the head of the sheep as compared to the head of dogs may suggest that in sheep we are indeed reaching the brain cortex while in dog light penetration can be hindered by the strongly absorbing muscle covering the cranium.
Copyright © 2023 Frabasile, Amendola, Buttafava, Chincarini, Contini, Cozzi, De Zani, Guerri, Lacerenza, Minero, Petrizzi, Qiu, Rabbogliatti, Rossi, Spinelli, Straticò, Vignola, Zani, Dalla Costa and Torricelli.
Publication Date: 2023-09-18 PubMed ID: 37789868PubMed Central: PMC10543119DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1243325Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research details the use of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in veterinary medicine, specifically on horses, dogs, and sheep, to non-invasively measure optical properties and hemodynamic parameters, contributing to understanding of animal health and welfare. Distinct variations were found in both optical and hemodynamic properties between different species and tissue types.
Research Background and Methods
- This study revolves around the use of biosensors in the field of veterinary medicine as a non-invasive method to determine the health status of animals, indirectly providing a measure of their welfare.
- The technological instrument used for this purpose is called Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS), which helped researchers determine optical properties (absorption coefficient, reduced scattering coefficient, differential pathlength factor) and hemodynamic parameters (concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin, deoxygenated hemoglobin, total hemoglobin, tissue oxygen saturation) in domestic animals.
- The animals included in this research were horses, dogs, and sheep, and two different types of tissue were studied – skeletal muscle and head.
Research Findings
- The study proved that the use of NIRS in veterinary medicine is feasible.
- Significant variations were observed in both optical and hemodynamic properties between different tissue types and species of animals. This indicates that the technology provides a nuanced understanding of the animals’ physiological conditions and isn’t just a one-size-fits-all solution.
Species-specific Observations
- In horses, the different optical properties in various muscles were attributed to the presence of a thicker layer of fat over the muscle in the Longissimus Dorsi and the Gluteus Superficialis as compared to the Triceps Brachii. This finding can help in further understanding body composition and muscle function in horses.
- For dogs, the absorption coefficient was found to be higher in the head (temporalis musculature) than in skeletal muscles. This aids in enhancing information about dogs’ anatomical and perhaps metabolic differences between different body parts.
- In sheep, a smaller absorption coefficient for the head compared to dogs suggested a possibly deeper light penetration, potentially reaching the brain cortex. This could be because in sheep, the absorption of light might not be as hindered by the muscle covering the cranium as it is in dogs. This sort of comparative analysis can help to tailor medical procedures and care to specific species needs.
Cite This Article
APA
Frabasile L, Amendola C, Buttafava M, Chincarini M, Contini D, Cozzi B, De Zani D, Guerri G, Lacerenza M, Minero M, Petrizzi L, Qiu L, Rabbogliatti V, Rossi E, Spinelli L, Straticò P, Vignola G, Zani DD, Dalla Costa E, Torricelli A.
(2023).
Non-invasive estimation of in vivo optical properties and hemodynamic parameters of domestic animals: a preliminary study on horses, dogs, and sheep.
Front Vet Sci, 10, 1243325.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1243325 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy.
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy.
- PIONIRS s.r.l., Milan, Italy.
- Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Teramo, Teramo, Italy.
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy.
- Dipartimento di Biomedicina Comparata e Alimentazione, Università degli Studi di Padova, Legnaro, Italy.
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Scienze Animali (DIVAS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Lodi, Italy.
- Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Teramo, Teramo, Italy.
- PIONIRS s.r.l., Milan, Italy.
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Scienze Animali (DIVAS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Lodi, Italy.
- Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Teramo, Teramo, Italy.
- School of Software, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China.
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Scienze Animali (DIVAS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Lodi, Italy.
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise G. Caporale, Teramo, Italy.
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Fotonica e Nanotecnologie, Milan, Italy.
- Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Teramo, Teramo, Italy.
- Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Teramo, Teramo, Italy.
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Scienze Animali (DIVAS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Lodi, Italy.
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Scienze Animali (DIVAS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Lodi, Italy.
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy.
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Fotonica e Nanotecnologie, Milan, Italy.
Conflict of Interest Statement
AT, DC, MB, and ML are cofounders of PIONIRS Srl. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
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