New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research abstracts

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Computer-assisted image analysis for the measurement of wool follicle density and fibre diameter in skin sections

C. E. MCCLOGHRY

CSIRO
Division of Animal Production
Pastoral Research laboratory
Private Mail Bag, Armidale
NSW 2350, Australia

G. H. BROWN

CSIRO
Biometrics Unit
P.O. Box 52, North Ryde
NSW 2113, Australia

G. C. UPHILL

CSIRO
Division of Animal Production
Pastoral Research laboratory
Private Mail Bag, Armidale
NSW 2350, Australia

Abstract  Historically, wool follicle density and fibre diameter have been measured in skin sections using a projection microscope. The aim of this study was to assess the use of computer-assisted image analysis (IA) for measuring follicle density and fibre diameter from skin sections. Shrinkage correction factors, primary, secondary, and total follicle densities, and fibre diameter measurements, determined manually (M) by projection microscope and by IA, were compared to assess the differences between the methods. The repeatability of sample and field measurements and operator variation were determined for the IA method. IA and M measurements compared favourably with the exception of the correction factor and the sample repeatability measurement of primary follicle density. The results of this study indicate that IA measurement of follicle density and fibre diameter is both fast and comparable to the manual method, though it is essential to use skilfully prepared preparations.

Keywords  wool follicle density; fibre diameter; image analysis; measurement; skin sections; sheep

New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 1997, Vol. 40: 239-244

0028-8233/97/4002-0239 $7.00/0 (c) The Royal Society of New Zealand 1997

PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (1122K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)

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