Estimation of tubule or cylinder LV, SV and VV on thick sections

Abstract

The estimators of tubule or cylinder LV = 2NA, SV = 2IL and VV = PP [LV = (cylinder length density estimator) SV = cylinder surface density estimator; and VV = cyclinder volume density estimator] are considered in terms of bias due to section thickness, diameter, overlap and grazing or fuzzy profiles. The superiority in a number of cases of the indirect estimation of SV and VV as functions of LV and profile diameter is discussed. Statistical aspects are dealt with in a practical example concerning scanning electron microscopic imaging of rat renal tubule microvilli.