The aim of this work was to document the value of morphometric analysis in quantifying neuronal loss in canine cerebellar degenerative disease. Measurements of the cerebellar cell populations in a dog affected by severe cortico-cerebellar degeneration (CCD) were compared with those of an age-matched control dog. Histological stainings (hematoxylin-eosin, thionin, Bielschowsky) were performed; the granule cell density and Purkinje cell linear density were quantified. GFAP immunohistochemistry was run to quantify the stained area. Morphometric analysis in the pathologic dog showed a significant decrease of Purkinje cell linear density (4.50/mm), granule cells density (81.34/10000 µm²) and an increase of GFAP stained area (40.28%) in comparison to the age-matched dog (Purkinje cell linear density=12.74/mm, granule cell neuron density=95.53/10000 µm² and GFAP stained area=34.68%). The use of morphometric techniques is suggested in order to enable comparison between results obtained from different laboratories of pathology.

Key words: Abiotrophy, Cerebellum, Dog, Histochemistry, Immunohistochemistry, Morphometry