title: Lengths measurements in microvascular corrosion castings: two-dimensional versus three-dimensional morphometry.
abstract: In the present study we compared measurements of vessel lengths from (a) single-digital scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of microvascular corrosion casts (VCCs) of gill filters of tadpoles of Xenopus laevis Daudin by two-dimensional (2-D) morphometry (Optimas 6.5, Optimas Corp., Bothell, Wash., USA; planar measurements) and (b) digital stereopairs by three-dimensional (3-D) morphometry (3D-Morphometry, Minnich and Muska OEG, Salzburg). Depending on the spatial orientation of the vessels measured, we found a maximum difference of 58.84% (100 [3-D]-41.16 [2-D]) in vessel lengths by 3-D morphometry versus 2-D morphometry, which, in multiple (segmental) lengths measurements or when determining space angles, might be even higher. Based on results we consider 3-D morphometry of VCCs to be the method of choice for lengths measurements.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular and Performance Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Salzburg, Austria. bernd.minnich@sbg.ac.at
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Minnich
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lametschwandtner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D016319:Corrosion Casting; D019044:Image Cytometry; D007814:Larva / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000033:anatomy & histology*