|
        |
     |
| |
J Vet Sci. 2007 Mar;8(1):7-14 |
|
| |
Comparative analysis of heart functions in micropigs and conventional pigs using echocardiography and radiography
Min Young Lee1, Sang Hun Lee1, Seung Gon Lee1, Soo Hyun Park1, Chai Yong Lee1, Kye Hun Kim2, Sun Ho Hwang2, Sang Yub Lim2, Young Keun Ahn2, Ho Jae Han1,* |
| |
1College of Veterinary Medicine, Biotherapy Human Resources Center (BK21), and 2Department of Cardiology, Chonnam National University Hospital, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 500-757, Korea
* hjhan@chonnam.ac.kr |
| |
The production of miniature animals has been suggested
for use in organ transplantation. At present, many of the
studies about application of animal organs to human have
been focused on pigs because of the number of advantages
involved and due to their similarities with human. However,
a physiological analysis of the organs to be transplanted
has not yet been carried out. Therefore, this study
analyzed whether or not there were physiological and
morphological differences in the hearts of conventionallyreared
pigs and micropigs. In this study, the morphological
and physiological functions of the heart were examined
using radiographic and echocardiographic equipment. In
the lateral radiographic view, the heart of the micropig
has a larger cardiac long axis : short axis ratio than does
the conventional pig, but the difference in the vertebral
heart score was not significant. In addition, there were no
morphological differences on the X-ray fluoroscopic view.
There were no differences in echocardiographic values,
except for several values in the left ventricle traces.
Overall, it is expected that the values measured in this
study will contribute to understanding of the physiological
characteristics of micropigs.
|
|
| |
|