Figure 1. Adjusting laser power and signal gain to improve confocal images.

When acquiring confocal images, the fluorescence signal should be within the range of the detector. (A) Signal too weak, structural details are lost due to low laser power and signal gain. (B) When laser power and signal gain are adjusted, structural details become visible and calyceal terminals can be imaged. (C) Setting laser power and signal gain too high will result in saturation of image details and loss of structural details. Images were obtained using a 63× oil immersion objective.