Three-Dimensional Morphometry of the Cerebellum During Intrauterine Development in Sheep Using Unbiased Design-Based...

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Neurology
• Developmental Biology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Sheep are valuable translational models for central nervous system (CNS) embryological research.
• Establishing normative data for ovine cerebellar development is essential for comparative studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine normal quantitative parameters of the sheep cerebellum during intrauterine development.
• To utilize unbiased design-based stereological methods for accurate measurements.

Main Methods:

• Twenty sheep embryos were grouped by gestational age (9-20 weeks).
• The orientator method produced isotropic, uniform, and random sections.
• Stereology (point-counting and test lines) quantified cerebellar volume, white/grey matter, layer volumes, and surface area.

Main Results:

• Cerebellar volume increased significantly from 0.1142 cm³ to 1.4717 cm³.
• White and grey matter volumes, as well as volumes of the external granular, molecular, and internal granular layers, showed significant growth.
• Cerebellar surface area expanded from 5.54 cm² to 53 cm².
• All measured parameters positively correlated with gestational age (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• This study provides standard quantitative data for sheep cerebellar development.
• These findings serve as a reference for surveying cerebellar development and for veterinary embryological neurology applications.