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

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 cm (median = 1841.40 cm; range = 844.2-4043.12 cm). The calculated K-constant was 14.9 for the six Atlantic Stingrays, and the CT-derived BSA formula was as follows: BSA (cm) = 14.9 × (BW, g).

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.