Table 7. Methodological details of stereological parameters.
| Parameter | Probe | Section | Staining | Magnification |
| VV(myo/lv), VV(int/lv) | Test points (16 points per FOV) | Semithin section | Richardson's stain | ×40 |
| VV(mit/myo), VV(mf/myo), VV(sp/myo), VV(nuc/myo) | Test points (12 points per FOV) | Ultrathin section | Uranyl acetate & Lead citrate | ×4,400 |
| VV(ld/sp) | Test points (256 points per FOV) | Ultrathin section | Uranyl acetate & Lead citrate | ×20,000 |
| NV(nuc/lv) | Optical disector (h = 3 µm) | 40 µm thick paraffin section | Haematoxylin & Eosin | ×100 |
| NN(nuc/myo) | Optical disector (h = 3 µm) | 40 µm thick paraffin section | Wheat germ agglutinin, Immunostaining for N-Cadherin | ×40 |
| LV(nf/lv) | Counting frame (Area: 3,000 µm2) | 7 µm thick paraffin section | Immunostaining for PGP 9.5 | ×40 |
| QQ(ax/nf) | Counting frame (Area: 20 µm2) | Ultrathin section | Uranyl acetate & Lead citrate | ×20,000 |
| Tissue volume shrinkage | Cavalieri method (a(p) = 1.004 mm2, 100 points) | Serial 7 µm thick paraffin sections | Methylene blue | ×1.25 |
Legend. VV = volume density, NV = numerical density, LV = length density, myo = cardiomyocytes, int = interstitium, lv = left ventricle, mit = mitochondria, mf = myofibrils, sp = residual sarcoplasm, nuc = nucleus, ld = lipid droplets, NN(nuc/myo) = mean number of nuclei per myocyte, nf = nerve fiber, QQ(ax/nf) = mean number of axon profiles per nerve fibre profile, FOV = fields of view, h = height, a(p) = area per point.