title: Micro-computed tomography imaging and analysis in developmental biology and toxicology.
abstract: Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) is a high resolution imaging technique that has expanded and strengthened in use since it was last reviewed in this journal in 2004. The technology has expanded to include more detailed analysis of bone, as well as soft tissues, by use of various contrast agents. It is increasingly applied to questions in developmental biology and developmental toxicology. Relatively high-throughput protocols now provide a powerful and efficient means to evaluate embryos and fetuses subjected to genetic manipulations or chemical exposures. This review provides an overview of the technology, including scanning, reconstruction, visualization, segmentation, and analysis of micro-CT generated images. This is followed by a review of more recent applications of the technology in some common laboratory species that highlight the diverse issues that can be addressed.
authors.affiliation: Merck Research Laboratories, Departments of Safety Assessment and Laboratory Animal Resources, Imaging, and Informatics IT, West Point, PA, USA. ld.wise@merck.com
authors.forename: L David
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Wise
authors.forename: Christopher T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Winkelmann
authors.forename: Belma
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dogdas
authors.forename: Ansuman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bagchi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001846:Bone Development / Q000502:physiology; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000196:embryology; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000378:metabolism; D015509:Developmental Biology; D047108:Embryonic Development; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D010920:Placenta / Q000196:embryology; D011247:Pregnancy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D018675:Toxicity Tests / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media