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Morphometric Evaluation of the Spermatogonial Stem Cell Distribution and Niche in Vertebrates

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Stem Cell Niche

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1035))

Abstract

Morphometry is a classical quantitative method often used in biology to provide a data basis for functional interpretations/interactions of a particular organ or system. Herein we took advantage of this valuable approach to evaluate the spermatogonial stem cell niche using the horse testis and immunocytochemical localization of GFRA1 [glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor receptor produced by Sertoli cells)] as an example. Using the NIH ImageJ free software, we describe in detail all the necessary steps to investigate this specific and crucial microenvironment. Based on several recently published papers from our research group, this approach has proved to be fast, simple, and adaptable to a wide range of species and has the potential to be easily reproducible in different laboratories.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

    Paulo Henrique Almeida Campos-Junior, Guilherme Mattos Jardim Costa, Gleide Fernandes de Avelar, Tânia Mara Segatelli, Samyra Maria Santos Nassif Lacerda, Pedro Manuel Aponte & Luiz Renato de França

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  1. Paulo Henrique Almeida Campos-Junior
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  2. Guilherme Mattos Jardim Costa
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  3. Gleide Fernandes de Avelar
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  4. Tânia Mara Segatelli
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  5. Samyra Maria Santos Nassif Lacerda
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  6. Pedro Manuel Aponte
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  7. Luiz Renato de França
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute Sprott Centre for Stem Cell Research, Ottawa, Canada

    Kursad Turksen

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Campos-Junior, P.H.A. et al. (2013). Morphometric Evaluation of the Spermatogonial Stem Cell Distribution and Niche in Vertebrates. In: Turksen, K. (eds) Stem Cell Niche. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1035. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-508-8_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-508-8_4

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-62703-507-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-62703-508-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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