Abstract
In this study, the aim was to investigate effects of routine protocols commonly used in pathology (formalin fixation, paraffin embedding, slicing and staining) on morphometrical parameters of hearts in rats. Six males and 6 females rats were used. All of the subjects were euthanized and then hearts were fixed in formalin solution. Hearts were cut at the level of musculus papillaris and cut surfaces area were photographed (Formalin group). Thereafter, cut surfaces of the hearts embedded in paraffin were also photographed (Paraffin group). Staining was done using H&E staining on 5 µm slices and their photographs were taken (Slide Group). Analyses of thickness, diameter and area on the photographs of heart were done by using image analysis software. Left ventricular mass (LVM), left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and cut surface area (CSA) were calculated. Significant differences were found in LVM and LVMI values between Paraffin and Formalin groups (p<0.05). Comparisons between males and females in accordance to their respective groups showed that there were no differences in Slide group (p>0.05) but there were significant differences in CSA values of Paraffin and Formalin group (p<0.05). In conclusion, in case reports, in which left ventricular hypertrophy is investigated by the help of LVM and LVMI, Formalin and Slide group method and results might be more useful. On the other hand, all the three methods might be used in experimental studies included in healthy control groups. Additionally, it was discussed that the gender has no effect on evaluation among groups in terms of LVM and LVMI. Key words: Morphometry, heart, rat, routine pathology, left ventricular mass (LVM)
Highlights
It is prominent to utilize echocardiographical examinations in investigations of heart abnormalities on humans and especially in determination of heart hypertrophy, the data obtained from echocardiography is analysed by certain calculations (Casiglia et al, 2008; Devereux and Reichek, 1977; Gosse et al, 1999; Krauser and Devereux, 2006; Urhausen et al, 2004)
As an overall examination of the data, the highest values with exception of LVLD were seen in the Formalin group whereas the lowest values were in the Paraffin group both in males and females
As for LVLD value, the highest was seen in Paraffin group and the lowest in slide group among males whereas the highest value was in Paraffin group and the lowest was in Formalin group among females
Summary
It is prominent to utilize echocardiographical examinations in investigations of heart abnormalities on humans and especially in determination of heart hypertrophy, the data obtained from echocardiography is analysed by certain calculations (Casiglia et al, 2008; Devereux and Reichek, 1977; Gosse et al, 1999; Krauser and Devereux, 2006; Urhausen et al, 2004). The used method in investigation of left ventricular hypertrophy with echocardiography was developed by Devereux and Reichek (1977) and utilized in postmortal examinations by using ruler and caliper (Fineschi et al, 2001, 2007; Montisci et al, 2012; Ozdemir et al, 2013). The aim was to investigate the effects of the routine fixation and tissue processing protocols commonly used in pathology (Formalin fixation, paraffin embedding, slicing and staining) on morphometrical parameters of the heart obtained from male and female rats
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