Ultrasound examination of the Adrenal Gland of the domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus Cuniculus)

Abstract

Thirty-one Pannon White rabbits (6 males, 24 females, 1 unknown sex) were examined by abdominal ultrasound, at the Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University (Budapest, Hungary) during the period between the 17th of May and the 19th of July 2011. The aim was to establish standard measurements for the adrenal gland in the domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Such standard reference values are helpful in ultrasound diagnosis of newly recognized adrenal disease in this species. We gathered length and thickness measurements of left and right adrenal glands in the examined animals. Our results show certain tendencies: Firstly, there seems to linear correlation between the weight of the animal and the size of its adrenal glands. The length measurements seem particularly affected by the weight. Secondly, when comparing male and female animals of similar weights, the adrenal glands seem to be slightly larger in female rabbits, despite their lighter body weight. This tendency is especially evident in the left gland. Other factors, such as stress and disease, also seem to affect adrenal parameters. As there were not enough rabbits of uniform weights and sexes to be examined, our results must be interpreted with caution.