Application of bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) in dogs: a preliminary study on gender-related differences

In this preliminary study, BIVA has been performed on 17 healthy Italian Hound dogs, 10 males (M) and 7 females (F), in order to verify if gender-related differences can be detected. Only in F higher reactance (Xc) values (F: 46.4 vs M: 37.7, P<0.05) and a significant negative correlation (-0.80, P<0.05) between BCS and resistance (R) values were detected. 50%, 75% and 95% tolerance ellipses were calculated both in M and F using average Xc and R values standardized for withers height. Probably due to the low number of subjects used in the present study, the variability of the individual vector distribution (F: 79.6 vs M: 53.0Ohm/m), as well as the mean impedance vector lengtht (F: 548.2 vs M: 498.9Ohm/m), were similar in F and M. The gender-related difference in phase angle values was not significant (F: 0.168 vs M: 0.157, P=ns). In conclusion, the use of BIVA in dogs indicated differences between males and females which should be confirmed by a larger number of subjects.