Radiographic pelvimetry in Scottish Fold cats: sex-related differences

Abstract

This study was carried out to obtain osteometric measurements of the pelvis of Scottish Fold cats using X-ray images and reveal the biometric differences of these measurement values in terms of sexual dimorphism. Radiographic images of the pelvis in the laterolateral and ventrodorsal direction were used in male and female Scottish Fold cats aged 2-4 years with dystocia and eutocia. The measurements of 18 osteometric parameters and 36 parameters, such as the height/width ratio of the cat pelvis, were taken, and statistical analysis of the measurements was initiated. When the pelvimetric data were examined, it was observed that all of the remaining 16 measurement values, except for inclinatio pelvis and arcus ischiadicus measurement values, were statistically significantly higher in the male cats than in the female cats (p < 0.05). Mean height/width ratio measurements in the cats with dystocia were mostly higher (21 parameters out of 36 parameters) than in male cats and cats with eutocia. In general, in the pelvic measurements of both male cats and cats with eutocia and dystocia, there were predominantly positive correlations. However, there were also statistically significant negative correlations. The mean pelvic inlet and outlet area measurement values were calculated as 38.21 ± 0.86 cm2 and 29.21 ± 1.21 cm$^{2}$ in the males, 32.67 ± 0.95 cm$^{2}$ and 26.38 ± 0.87 cm2 in cats with eutocia, and 29.83 ± 1.41 cm$^{2}$ and 24.83 ± 1.01 cm$^{2}$ in cats with dystocia, respectively. The basic pelvimetric data obtained in Scottish Fold cats in this study will benefit future research focusing on sex determination, breeding management programs for cats, and animal selection and help individuals working in animal clinics and on zooarchaeology.