title: Microscopic fat cell size measurements on frozen-cut adipose tissue in comparison with automatic determinations of osmium-fixed fat cells.
abstract: Diameters of fat cells in adipose tissue slices, floating in an isoosmolar solution, were measured under a microscope. The slices were obtained from percutaneous biopsies by freeze-cutting after brief formaldehyde fixation. All cells in a given part of the slice were measured, thus avoiding selection. A normal distribution of fat cell diameters could be demonstrated with this method, as has been found with previously described methods. The error of the method was 2.6% for diameter and 8.0% for weight determinations. Storage of adipose tissue at 4 degrees C for 48 hr had no effects on cell size determinations. Results with this microscopic method were compared with those obtained from a previously described method for automatic determinations of osmium-fixed fat cells. The latter method was slightly modified by using a viscous electrolyte, which prevented sedimentation of large fat cells, and by using sonication to complete cell separation. The methods agreed closely. A method for calculating mean fat cell weight using osmium-fixed fat cells is described, which makes determinations of sample wet weight and ratio of lipid to wet weight unnecessary.
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000166:cytology*; D001706:Biopsy; D003585:Cell Biology / Q000295:instrumentation; D002452:Cell Count; D003080:Cold Temperature; D003201:Computers; D004573:Electrolytes; D005557:Formaldehyde; D005615:Freezing; D006801:Humans; D008433:Mathematics; D008722:Methods; D008853:Microscopy / Q000295:instrumentation; D008867:Microtomy; D009992:Osmium; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010784:Photomicrography; D011309:Preservation, Biological; D013997:Time Factors; D014732:Vibration
chemical_list: D004573:Electrolytes; D005557:Formaldehyde; D009992:Osmium