New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research abstracts
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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