Читать книгу Pathology of Genetically Engineered and Other Mutant Mice - Группа авторов - Страница 87

The traditional basis for characterizing structural changes in embryonic lethal and neonatal lethal phenotypes in mice has concentrated on qualitative macroscopic and light microscopic analysis, supplemented as needed by quantitative measurements of organ dimensions [60, 61], volumes [62], or cell numbers [48]. Historically, these strategies have been undertaken at one or more specific time points and have been complicated by some degree of sample destruction (e.g. via continuous or interval [“step”] sectioning to make multiple μm‐thick, two‐dimensional [2D] tissue slices) and subsequent three‐dimensional [3D] tissue reconstruction (e.g. by mental or physical realignment [“stacking”] many 2D tissue slices). In recent decades, the advent of noninvasive imaging methods for rodents has been adapted to allow one‐time or serial evaluation of adult [63] and developing [22, 64, 65] mice. These technologies facilitate the digitized, relatively high‐resolution, 2D and 3D macroscopic and microscopic analysis of anatomic features and/or functional attributes without destroying or greatly distorting the specimen (Figure 5.7). Key modalities include computer‐assisted tomography (CAT or μCT), confocal microscopy, echocardiography, magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM), among others [66–69]. These noninvasive imaging techniques will not replace standard microscopy since both light and electron microscopy afford higher resolution of cell and tissue architecture. Instead, the use of imaging techniques provides the best data when employed in tandem with conventional pathology techniques.