Preparation of cell suspensions for co-transplantation: methodological considerations

The purpose of the current study was to determine the optimal strategy for preparing cell suspensions for co-transplantation. In the first experiment, the number of Sertoli cell (SC) aggregates and the number of tyrosine hydroxylase positive neurons were compared over time when cell suspensions of Sertoli or ventral mesencephalic cells were kept as a co-suspension mixed at 0 h. Cells from each suspension were dispensed onto glass slides in a manner similar to transplantation. When dispensed in this manner, the number of SC aggregates and TH-positive neurons decreased over 4 h. In experiment 2, the cell suspensions were mixed just prior to injection at each of four timepoints, the number of aggregates and TH neurons was consistent over time. Clearly this latter strategy resulted consistent recovery of both cell types for transplants up to 3 h after suspension preparation.