A new method for expressing axonal size: rat optic nerve analysis.
Analysis of the shape of the cross sections of adult rat optic nerve axons reveals that the majority of axons do not have a true circular shape. Therefore, determination of axonal size has to utilize methods of approximation. The method presented here utilizes three calculated parameters for expression of axonal size: (i) axonal diameter, as calculated from its area, or (ii) axonal diameter, as calculated from its perimeter, both assuming axonal shape to be a perfect circle and (iii) axonal shape factor, which represents the divergence of the axon from a perfect circular shape. The use of the calculated axonal diameter, with a correction for its shape factor, provides a normalized way of expressing axonal size.
Duvdevani
R
R
Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
Lavie
V
V
Segel
L
L
Schwartz
M
M
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley