title: A spectral framework for sperm shape characterization.
abstract: A novel methodology for characterization of animal sperm shape involving the use of a spectral approach to multiscale curvature estimation is proposed. By using the derivative property of the Fourier transform, allied to Gaussian smoothing, accurate estimates of the curvature along the sperm contour can be obtained in such a way that the curvature peaks corresponding to the sperm head vertices can be effectively identified. The measurements derived from such a processing, namely the width of the basal region of the head, the centralization of tail implantation, and the multiscale bending energy, provide valuable resources for fertility and phylogenetic studies.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlandia, Av. Para 1720, CEP 38400-902, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil. mebeletti@ufu.br
authors.forename: Marcelo Emílio
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Beletti
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: da Fontoura Costa
authors.forename: Matheus Palhares
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Viana
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D004285:Dogs; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D006041:Goats; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D016011:Normal Distribution; D012756:Sheep; D013045:Species Specificity; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000648:ultrastructure*