Linear correlation between the total islet mass and the volume-weighted mean islet volume

To understand the dynamics of islet population, especially during condition s with growth of the total islet mass, it is important to have reliable est imators of parameters describing the quantitative appearance of the islet p opulation. We describe a stereological estimator of the volume-weighted mea n islet volume based on unbiased assumption-free stereological principles. The volume-weighted mean islet volume is the mean islet volume if the islet s are weighted (sampled) proportional to their volume. This method allows s imultaneously unbiased estimation of the total islet mass. With use of this method, 22 male Sprague-Dawley rats within the age span of 34-102 days old were investigated. We found a linear correlation (P < 0.001) between total islet mass and the volume-weighted mean islet volume. The results support models demonstrating that the physiological growth of the total islet mass in the period studied is totally or mainly caused by proportional growth of existing islets. The functional meaning of the volume-weighted mean islet volume is discussed, and previous methods to study the mean islet volume an d islet number are critically evaluated. We propose the volume-weighted mea n islet volume to be a biologically useful parameter when describing the me an volume of the pancreatic islets and investigating the differences betwee n experimental groups.