title: How to Quantify Penile Corpus Cavernosum Structures with Histomorphometry: Comparison of Two Methods.
abstract: The use of morphometrical tools in biomedical research permits the accurate comparison of specimens subjected to different conditions, and the surface density of structures is commonly used for this purpose. The traditional point-counting method is reliable but time-consuming, with computer-aided methods being proposed as an alternative. The aim of this study was to compare the surface density data of penile corpus cavernosum trabecular smooth muscle in different groups of rats, measured by two observers using the point-counting or color-based segmentation method. Ten normotensive and 10 hypertensive male rats were used in this study. Rat penises were processed to obtain smooth muscle immunostained histological slices and photomicrographs captured for analysis. The smooth muscle surface density was measured in both groups by two different observers by the point-counting method and by the color-based segmentation method. Hypertensive rats showed an increase in smooth muscle surface density by the two methods, and no difference was found between the results of the two observers. However, surface density values were higher by the point-counting method. The use of either method did not influence the final interpretation of the results, and both proved to have adequate reproducibility. However, as differences were found between the two methods, results obtained by either method should not be compared.
authors.affiliation: Urogenital Research Unit, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Boulevard 28 de Setembro, 87 Fundos, Vila Isabel, 20551-030 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil ; Institute for Humanities and Health, Federal Fluminense University, Rua Recife, s/n, Jardim Bela Vista, Rio das Ostras, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Felix-Patrício
authors.affiliation: Urogenital Research Unit, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Boulevard 28 de Setembro, 87 Fundos, Vila Isabel, 20551-030 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Diogo Benchimol
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: De Souza
authors.affiliation: Urogenital Research Unit, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Boulevard 28 de Setembro, 87 Fundos, Vila Isabel, 20551-030 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Bianca Martins
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Gregório
authors.affiliation: Urogenital Research Unit, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Boulevard 28 de Setembro, 87 Fundos, Vila Isabel, 20551-030 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Waldemar Silva
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Urogenital Research Unit, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Boulevard 28 de Setembro, 87 Fundos, Vila Isabel, 20551-030 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Francisco José
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Sampaio
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006652:Histological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000473:pathology*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D010413:Penis / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D010784:Photomicrography; D051381:Rats