Effect of collagenase on nerve fibre teasing

Teased fibre preparations are important in the investigation of peripheral nerve disorders, but can be a rather tedious procedure. A technique is described in which pretreatment of the nerve sample with collagenase before osmication substantially simplifies the actual teasing procedure. The technique also does not alter the morphology or interfere with any further investigations required on teased fibres--for example, fluorescent antibody studies.