Three-dimensional imaging of fetal mouse kidneys

Abstract

Three-dimensional imaging is a valuable tool for analyzing kidney growth and development. This technique provides information about spatial relationships between the branching ureteric bud, nephrons, and other structures within the kidney. Availability of user-friendly volume-rendering software now puts this technique within the capability of most laboratories with access to a confocal microscope. This paper describes how to prepare samples and acquire images and three-dimensional volume-rendered images. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.