Validation of an automated computational method for skeletal muscle fibre morphometry analysis

Accurate and fast measurement of muscle fibre size and evaluation of fibre type proportions in large cross-sectional areas remains challenging as existing methods require extensive manual measurements. In this study, we assessed the fibre morphometry of ∼1000 fibres in mouse and human control and diseased muscle cross-sections. We compared fibre size, percentage fibre proportion and percentage fibre surface area results obtained by an automated method using MetaMorph® with those obtained manually using Image Pro. Data collection using MetaMorph® software was faster and produced similar results to those obtained using Image Pro. The ability to quickly and accurately measure large numbers of fibres with MetaMorph® allows the researcher to make a more precise assessment of fibre type and fibre size changes in human muscle biopsies and animal models of muscle disease.