Comparison of ovary with stereological and histomorphometric methods between some purebred and crossbred cats

In this study, the number and volume of follicles in the right ovary of crossbred and pure breed cats were compared by stereological and histometric methods. For this purpose, the right ovaries of 15 healthy crossbred female cats, 15 female British Shorthair cats and 15 female Scottish Fold cats were used. The ovaries were weighed, sections obtained after routine histological tissue follow-up were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and examined under light microscope. The volume of ovaries and follicles at different developmental stages were calculated using Cavalieri method. Follicle and oocyte diameter and zona pellucida thickness were measured with Image J programme. The highest relative ovarian weight was found in crossbred cats and it was statistically significant compared to pure breed cats (p<0,05). The number and diameter of primordial follicles were found to be statistically higher in crossbred cats compared to pure breed cats (p<0,001 and p<0,05). The volume of large antral follicles was higher in crossbred cats compared to pure breed cats and the difference was statistically significant (p<0,05). In histological examinations, polyocyte formation in the follicle, which is rare in cats according to the literature, was found in our sample of 45 cats, 4 of the crossbred cats and one of the pure breed cats. In conclusion, our study compared the ovaries of crossbred and pure breed cats by stereological and histomorphometric methods and opened a field for future studies between breeds.