Visualizing the Peripheral Primo Vascular System in Mice Skin by Using the Polymer Mercox

Area of Science:

• Anatomy
• Vascular Biology
• Histology

Background:

• The peripheral primo vascular system (PVS) is challenging to visualize due to its delicate nature.
• Existing methods for PVS visualization are often complex or insufficient for peripheral structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simplified and effective method for visualizing the peripheral primo vascular system (PVS) in the skin.
• To demonstrate the presence and morphology of primo vessels (PVs) and primo nodes (PNs) in the dermal and hypodermal layers.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a vascular casting material, Mercox, injected directly into mouse skin.
• Employed a modified partial maceration technique using potassium hydroperoxide solution.
• Analyzed injected tissues under a stereomicroscope to trace the Mercox-filled PVS structures.

Main Results:

• Direct Mercox injection into the skin enabled clear visualization of PVs and PNs.
• The casting material successfully filled the PVS, outlining the vessels and nodes.
• Identified characteristic shapes, sizes, and topographic positions of PVs and PNs in the skin.

Conclusions:

• Direct Mercox injection into skin is a viable and promising method for visualizing peripheral PVS components.
• Mercox can penetrate primo pores, filling PVs and PNs, confirming their existence in the hypodermal layer of the skin.
• This technique provides a valuable tool for studying the PVS in superficial tissues.