Open source software for semi-automated histomorphometry of bone resorption and formation parameters

• Published in: Bone (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 99; pp. 69 - 79
• Main Authors: van't Hof, Rob J, Rose, Lorraine, Bassonga, Euphemie, Daroszewska, Anna
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-06-2017
• Subjects: Animals; Bone histomorphometry; Bone Remodeling - physiology; Bone Resorption - metabolism; Cells, Cultured; Humans; Image analysis; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Open source software; Orthopedics; Osteoclasts - metabolism; Osteogenesis - physiology; Software; Bone histomorphometry; Image analysis; Open source software
• ISSN: 8756-3282; 1873-2763
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2017.03.051

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.