Efficient and Unbiased Estimation of Cerebral Volume and Cortical Surface Areas of Goat Brain

Abstract

Four brains from goats weighing between 10 and 40kg were used to test an unbiased stereological method for estimating brain volume and cortical surface areas. The new method combines the Cavalieri method for estimation of volumes and the Vertical sectioning method estimation of surface areas. Using a t-test no significant difference was found between left and right hemispheres or cortical volume, inner and outer cortical surface areas, cortical thickness and shape factor. Neither was there any significant difference in weight between the left and right cerebral hemispheres. This method is quick and cheap (requiring very few and simple instruments) and gives unbiased estimates of surface areas. It is a very valuable method in Anatomy (e.g. testing for morphometric differences between sexes for lateral asymmetries etc.); in Pathology (e.g. examining developmental and disease anomalies etc.) and in Toxicology (e.g. testing tor alterations due to plant and chemical intoxication).