title: Corneal sensitivity in healthy bovine calves.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate corneal sensitivity as measured by the corneal touch threshold in healthy bovine calves.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve clinically normal male calves with predominantly Holstein genetics and a median age of 76.5 days (range, 67-92 days).
  
  
  METHODS
  Corneal touch threshold (CTT) of the central cornea was measured in both eyes of each calf using a Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean ± standard deviation corneal touch threshold of all eyes was 1.33 ± 1.1 g/mm(2) (range, 0.62-66.15 g/mm(2) ), corresponding to a filament length of 34.56 ± 8.02 mm (range, 14-47.5 mm). There was no significant difference between fellow eyes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometry was well tolerated in all 12 calves using a modified head restraint. Calves in this study may have a relatively sensitive central cornea compared to adult cattle and some other species; however, wide variation among individuals and eyes may be possible. Studies utilizing larger calf populations are necessary to establish reference ranges.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA.
authors.forename: Kyle L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Tofflemire
authors.forename: Elizabeth M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Whitley
authors.forename: Renee D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Dewell
authors.forename: Stacie A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Gould
authors.forename: Rachel A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Allbaugh
authors.forename: Gil
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ben-Shlomo
authors.forename: Annette M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.forename: Robert D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Whitley
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D003315:Cornea / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D014110:Touch / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Aesthesiometry; bovine; calf; cornea; corneal sensitivity; corneal touch threshold