Estimation of Sertoli cell nuclear volume on vertical sections
Abstract
Sertoli cell nuclear volume is a potential indicator of cellular activity, however, it's direct estimation on transverse sections of tubules using the point sampled intercept family of methods may be complicated by anisotropy. In the present study the volume weighted mean volume (νV) and the number weighted mean volume (νN) of Sertoli cell nuclei were estimated on vertical sections using the point sampled intercept method, the "Selector" and "Nucleator" methods with both sine weighted and arbitrarily directed lines. The results were then compared to estimates of Sertoli cell nuclear volume obtained assuming isotropy from transverse sections. Volume weighted mean volume was 578 ± 21 µm3 measured using sine weighted directions and 610 ± 29 µm3 measured using arbitrary directions, the nucleator estimates were 543 ± 24 µm3 and 575 ± 40µm3 respectively whilst the selector estimates were 570 ± 22 µm3 and 586 ± 13 µm3 respectively. Sertoli cell nuclear volume estimated on transversely sectioned tissue was 570 ± 37 µm3. This study confirms previous estimates of Sertoli cell nuclear volume performed on tubule cross-sections.