title: Computerized analysis of flagellar motility by digitization and fitting of film images with straight segments of equal length.
abstract: Methods are described for computerized analysis of digitized images obtained by scanning photomicrographs of swimming sperm flagella. After storing a series of image frames in computer memory, the entire series is analyzed automatically. For each sperm image, the sperm head is located to obtain a starting point for analysis of the flagellum. This location is obtained by minimizing image intensity along a model of the sperm head outline. The flagellum is modelled by a series of straight segments of equal length: 0.5 or 1 micron. The angles between these segments are adjusted to give minimum image intensity along the line of the model as well as minimizing smoothing functions. Extensions to analyze a series of images in each frame, and to measure the positions of beads attached to the flagellar microtubules, are also described.
authors.affiliation: Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Brokaw
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008433:Mathematics; D012617:Sea Urchins; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000502:physiology*; D013082:Sperm Tail / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure