Abstract
Purpose :
Cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) are a commonly used species in pre-clinical ocular research. However, studies reporting morphological features of the macaque retina are only based on very limited sample sizes, therefore little is known about normal distribution and background variation. The current study was conducted using optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging to investigate the variability in retina volumes in healthy cynomolgus monkeys and how retina volumes were affected by sex, origin, and eye side in order to provide a comprehensive reference data base.
Methods :
A machine learning algorithm segmented the retina within the OCT data (i.e. generated pixel-wise labels). A classical computer vision algorithm identified the deepest point in the foveolar depression. Based on this reference point and the segmented retina compartments, retinal volumes were determined and analysed.
Results :
Overall foveolar mean volume in zone 1, the region of the sharpest vision, was 0.205 mm3 (range from 0.154 to 0.268 mm3) with a relatively low coefficient of variation of 7.9%. In general, retina volumes show a relatively low degree of variation. Nevertheless, significant differences in retina volumes due to the monkey’s origin could be identified. In addition, sex has a significant effect on paracentral retina volumes.
Conclusions :
Based on this dataset, origin and sex of cynomolgus monkeys have to be considered when planning preclinical ocular studies using this species.
This abstract was presented at the 2023 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in New Orleans, LA, April 23-27, 2023.