A stereological study on calculation of volume values regarding lumbosacral segments of quails

Abstract

In the study, total segment, grey matter and white matter volume values of lumbosacral segment of spinal cord in quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were stereologically examined. Regardless of sex, six adult quails were used as material. After the materials were perfused, they were dissected and their spinal cords were uncovered. Tissue samples were taken from each lumbosacral segment of spinal cord. After the tissue fixation process, 6–7 sections having a 5‐µm thickness were separated in every 50th section as from the first section, where the tissue was seen, among tissue samples of each segment. These segments were stained with haematoxylin–eosin staining. They were photographed via a microscope. By using the Cavalieri s principle, the volume values of both the total segment, grey matter (GM) and white matter (WM) in each lumbosacral segment were separately calculated. All these calculations were performed by using SHTEREOM 1.5 program. As a result, total volume, grey matter and white matter volume values of lumbosacral segments and white matter/total volume, grey matter/total volume, and grey matter/white matter volume fractions were obtained.