title: Open source software for semi-automated histomorphometry of bone resorption and formation parameters.
abstract: Micro-CT analysis has become the standard method for assessing bone volume and architecture in small animals. However, micro-CT does not allow the assessment of bone turnover parameters such as bone formation rate and osteoclast (OC) number and surface. For these crucial variables histomorphometric analysis is still an essential technique. Histomorphometry however, is time consuming and, especially in mouse bones, OCs can be difficult to detect. The main purpose of this study was to develop and validate a relatively easy and rapid method to measure static and dynamic bone histomorphometry parameters. Here we present the adaptation of established staining protocols and three novel open source image analysis packages: TrapHisto, OsteoidHisto and CalceinHisto that allow rapid, semi-automated analysis of histomorphometric bone resorption, osteoid, and calcein double labelling parameters respectively. These three programs are based on ImageJ, but use a relatively simple user interface that hides the underlying complexity of the image analysis.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom. Electronic address: r.vanthof@liverpool.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Rob J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: van 't Hof
authors.affiliation: Institute for Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Lorraine
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rose
authors.affiliation: Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Euphemie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bassonga
authors.affiliation: Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Daroszewska
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000502:physiology; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010010:Osteoclasts / Q000378:metabolism; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D012984:Software
keywords: Bone histomorphometry; Image analysis; Open source software