Measurement of the total body fat content of growing rabbits by X-ray computerised tomography and direct chemical analysis.

The total body fat content of growing rabbits was determined by X-ray computerised tomography (CT) and direct chemical analysis. Serial scans were taken on Pannon White rabbits at the age of 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 weeks (10 animals per group). A total of seven scans per animal were evaluated, two from the scapular arch, three from the region of the kidney, and two from the pelvic region. The variables of the prediction equations were derived from the X-ray density values of the Houndsfield scale interval between -140 and -50, by adding up the frequencies within intervals of 10. Different models were developed on the basis of the MGLH stepwise procedure and Principal Component analysis. The R2 values of the estimations varied between 0.76 and 0.90. The costs of the CT procedure were reduced by scanning three animals at a time.