Use of computed tomography to determine body surface area and K‐constant in Atlantic Stingrays for chemotherapeutic dosing

• Published in: Journal of aquatic animal health 2024-12, Vol.36 (4), p.342-347
• Main Authors: Martinelli, Laura, Nelson, Nathan, Duke, Elizabeth, Christiansen, Emily F., Westmoreland, Lori S., Harms, Craig A., Harrison, Tara M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Allometry; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents - administration & dosage; Atlantic Stingray; Body Surface Area; Body weight; Computed tomography; Hypanus sabina; K‐constant; Marine fishes; Metabolic rate; Metabolism; Natural mortality; Nutrition; Regression analysis; Skates, Fish; Species Specificity; Tomography; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - veterinary
• ISSN: 0899-7659; 1548-8667; 1548-8667
• DOI: 10.1002/aah.10236

Objective The objective of this study was to use body surface area (BSA) obtained via computed tomography (CT) to calculate a species‐specific shape constant (K) and provide a formula for BSA based on body weight (BW) in Atlantic Stingrays Hypanus sabina. Ultimately, this information can be used to more accurately calculate chemotherapeutic doses and other metabolic‐related measures. Methods Six deceased Atlantic Stingrays of unknown age and with a range of sizes were collected during a natural mortality event and underwent CT scans. Following the scans, three‐dimensional surface models were created from the imaging data to measure BSAs and derive a BSA formula based on BW. Nonlinear regression analysis of BSA versus thawed BW was performed, and a species‐specific formula was derived. Result Body surface area (mean ± standard deviation) was 2015.01 ± 1115.02 cm2 (median = 1841.40 cm2; range = 844.2–4043.12 cm2). The calculated K‐constant was 14.9 for the six Atlantic Stingrays, and the CT‐derived BSA formula was as follows: BSA (cm2) = 14.9 × (BW, g)2/3. Conclusion These results provide a method for calculating BSA in Atlantic Stingrays. The CT‐derived BSA formula can be used for allometric dosing of chemotherapeutic agents and other drugs in a clinical setting; in a broader sense, the formula can be applied to studies of nutrition, metabolic rate, and physiology. Impact Statement Chemotherapeutic agents and other drugs that are administered based on body surface area can be more appropriately dosed in Atlantic Stingrays and other similarly shaped species with the identified K‐constant and species‐specific body surface area equation based on body weight.