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Scanning electron microscopical observations on telencephalon explants cultivated in vitro
G Grosse1, M Wenzel, G Lindner
1Institute of Anatomy, Medical School Charité, Humboldt-University, Berlin-GDR.
Journal Fur Hirnforschung
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Early chicken embryo brain cells form nerve fibers and connections in vitro. Scanning electron microscopy reveals developing neuronal structures and cell types within 2 days of cultivation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Understanding early neuronal development is crucial for neuroscience.
- Chicken embryos provide a valuable model for studying neural development.
- In vitro cultivation allows detailed observation of neuronal growth and interaction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate early neuronal development in chicken embryo telencephalon explants.
- To characterize nerve fiber formation and growth cone morphology.
- To identify different neuronal cell types and their interactions.
Main Methods:
- Cultivation of telencephalon explants from 10-12 day old chicken embryos for 2 days in vitro.
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for high-resolution imaging of neuronal structures.
Main Results:
- Observation of thick nerve fiber fasciculi in the explant outgrowth region.
- Identification of filopodal and lamellipodial neuritic growth cones, and button-like dendritic growth cones.
- Distinction between neuroblasts, pyramidal neurons, and astrocytes; observation of axosomatic/axodendritic contacts and basket-like axon terminal arrangements.
Conclusions:
- Early in vitro cultivation of chicken telencephalon explants supports rapid nerve fiber formation and fasciculation.
- Diverse growth cone morphologies and distinct neuronal cell types are identifiable.
- Evidence of early synaptogenesis, including axosomatic and axodendritic contacts, is present.