Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
or research, there are times that mandate different types of staining or etching techniques. As
always, be sure to outline your research project and be sure of the type of thin sections and
sample preparation needed before you start.
Sample Selection
Bone samples taken for histological analysis should be chosen carefully. It is extremely
important that if a specific methodology is used as a template or guide for histomorphomet-
ric research, the procured samples should be selected from the same bone and location pre-
sented in that resource's methods. For example, research has demonstrated that histological
structures are not uniform throughout the shaft of a long bone (
Jowsey, 1966
; Pfeiffer et al.,
1995;
Tersigni, 2005
).
Kerley's (1965)
pioneering study utilized complete midshaft cross-
sections. If an age estimate based on Kerley's methodology is made at the midshaft of
a bone as well as at the distal and proximal ends, the three estimates will not produce the
same results (
Tersigni, 2005
).
In addition to consistency in bone sample selection, researchers emphasize the need
for population-specific methods (
Thompson and Gunness-Hey, 1981; Aiello and Molle-
son, 1993; Cho et al., 2002
). As mentioned earlier, sex-specific analyses are also recom-
mended (
Thompson, 1980; Samson and Branigan, 1987; Ericksen, 1991
). Separate
equations may be necessary for different ancestral groups as well due to biological
distance, but this is yet to be investigated. As with gross morphological methods, histo-
logical aging methods are most reflective of the reference sample upon which they were
developed (
Thompson and Gunness-Hey, 1981; Aiello and Molleson, 1993; Cho et al.,
2002
).
Essentially, when conducting bone histomorphometric analyses, if the anthropologist is
basing their methodology on a previous publication, then they should strictly adhere to
that methodology including (1) the choice of population, (2) the choice of bone, and (3) the
choice of specific location on the bone. If the anthropologist seeks to develop an innovative
technique, controlling for specific variables is vital to the replicability and applicability of the
research.
Sample Procurement
Just as important as sample selection and location is the means by which bone is procured
for histological analysis. If you are adhering to standard methodologies presented in
previous research, bone samples should be procured via a similar process to ensure compa-
rability in results, as mentioned.
Options include the removal of complete bone cross-sections (
Kerley, 1965
; Ahlqvist
and Damsten, 1969;
Stout and Stanley, 1991
), windows, or wedges (
Ericksen, 1991
). These
types of samples can be taken with a Stryker
5
rotary tool. Another
option is to remove a bone core (
Thompson, 1979; Curtis, 2003
).
Curtis (2003)
utilized
4
saw or a Dremel
4
Stryker Corporation, Kalamazoo, Michigan.
5
Robert Bosch Tool Corporation.
