title: Estimating glomerular number: why we do it and how.
abstract: There is currently much interest in determining the number of glomeruli, and thereby nephrons, in the kidney. Researchers have been trying to count glomeruli since the 19th century and currently four general approaches are available: (i) acid maceration; (ii) counting glomerular profiles in histological sections; (iii) model-based stereology; and (iv) design-based stereology. Although design-based stereological methods are generally considered the gold-standard method, all current methods have limitations. A new approach using magnetic resonance imaging has recently been described and may ultimately enable glomerular imaging and quantification in vivo. This report considers the advantages and disadvantages of current methods for counting glomeruli and describes the new magnetic resonance approach. In addition, a method for counting glomeruli in developing kidneys is described.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Bertram
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000378:metabolism; D005293:Ferritins / Q000378:metabolism; D047109:Fetal Development; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D008024:Ligands; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008954:Models, Biological; D057054:Molecular Imaging; D038081:Organogenesis; D019887:Peanut Agglutinin / Q000378:metabolism; D010477:Perfusion; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D008024:Ligands; D019887:Peanut Agglutinin; C010297:polycationic ferritin; D005293:Ferritins
keywords: glomerulus; kidney; magnetic resonance imaging; nephron number; stereology