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Estimating glomerular number: Why we do it and how
Author(s) -
Bertram John F
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
clinical and experimental pharmacology and physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1440-1681
pISSN - 0305-1870
DOI - 10.1111/1440-1681.12133
Subject(s) - stereology , magnetic resonance imaging , gold standard (test) , kidney glomerulus , pathology , kidney , computer science , medicine , radiology , glomerulonephritis
Summary There is currently much interest in determining the number of glomeruli, and thereby nephrons, in the kidney. Researchers have been trying to count glomeruli since the 19th century and currently four general approaches are available: (i) acid maceration; (ii) counting glomerular profiles in histological sections; (iii) model‐based stereology; and (iv) design‐based stereology. Although design‐based stereological methods are generally considered the gold‐standard method, all current methods have limitations. A new approach using magnetic resonance imaging has recently been described and may ultimately enable glomerular imaging and quantification in vivo . This report considers the advantages and disadvantages of current methods for counting glomeruli and describes the new magnetic resonance approach. In addition, a method for counting glomeruli in developing kidneys is described.