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Histologic Basis of Mouse Endocrine System Development: A Comparative Analysis was written by Matthew Kaufman, Alexander Yu. Nikitin, and John P. Sundberg. It was released by the CRC Press, an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group LLC in 2010. Dr. Kaufman has been a leader in mouse embryogenesis for years; speaking, writing, and collaborating on many books and papers on the subject. The authors have updated and digitized Dr. Kaufman’s extensive photomicrograph collection of the embryonic mouse endocrine development and have included a DVD and accompanying Aperio ImageScope™ software to turn the reader’s computer into a “virtual” microscope when comparing normal mouse embryogenesis to genetically altered embryo development under study.
The text begins with an introduction that spells out the aim of the authors, that is, to provide reference for comparison of normal mouse endocrine organ development to that of the rat and human for researchers and scientists. The focus of the text is on the primary endocrine glands, such as the pituitary, parathyroid, thyroid, adrenal, pancreas, testis, ovary, and pineal glands. Other organs with hormonal secretory ability will be addressed in upcoming texts. The research mouse has been long been invaluable in aiding researchers with discoveries regarding human and animal development and diseases. The comparative diseases, however are not included in this text. Normal endocrine organ formation and general homeostasis of the hormones are the primary focus here.
The primary endocrine organs are separated into chapters for easy reference. The accompanying DVD is likewise broken into folders corresponding to chapter number and the specific organ named, and is well referenced throughout the text. Each endocrine organ is discussed in a similar manner, beginning with an overview of the gland and followed by the evolution and development of the gland in the rat and human, compared to the mouse. Previous research in the three species is discussed and numerous detailed photomicrographs of embryogenesis are included and clearly labeled in the text. Gross morphology as well as ultrasonic features, physiologic functions, and hormone secretion are reviewed. Extensive lists of references are included at the completion of each chapter.
This textbook, Histologic Basis of Mouse Endocrine System Development: A Comparative Analysis is an excellent tool for the research lab and demonstrates the ability to enhance and utilize hematoxylin and eosin-stained (H&E) sections of mouse embryogenesis from Dr. Kaufman's original research and improve through modern technology to further augment their usefulness. The ability of the reader to use his computer as a virtual microscope to enlarge, move, and investigate areas of interest on the specially digitized H&E slides of normal mouse embryogenesis on the accompanying DVD allow the researcher to analyze and compare endocrine development across species in addition to the well-labeled photomicrographs in the text itself and comparative dialogue. The advanced technology of enhancing key histological specimens lends excitement to this and other future textbooks.
Sandra L. Jex is a veterinarian and consultant.