[The obtaining of neural cell suspensions. Their application in neurobiological studies].
BACKGROUND
Techniques of intracranial grafting have become powerful tools used in the study of the mechanisms of regeneration and plasticity taking place in the central nervous system (CNS). Suspensions of foetal neural cells have been successfully used as intracerebral grafts in deep regions of the brain.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this paper is to describe the methodology used by our group to obtain and prepare suspensions of cells from different parts of rat embryo brain (midbrain, striatum and septum) used for experimental transplants in animal models.


METHODS
We give a detailed description of the steps involved in the preparation of tissue in the form of a suspension of cells. These steps include the obtention of tissue at the optimum stage of development, dissection of the donor tissue, enzymatic treatment and mechanical dissociation until a suspension of cells is obtained. Viability counts showed a high percentage (more than 95%) of viable cells in the suspensions thus obtained. Cellular viability is affected by different factors and is a prerequisite for good survival of the graft.


CONCLUSIONS
The methodology described permits obtention of suspensions of foetal neural cells which are optimal for use in studies both in vitro and in experimental transplants.
de la Cuétara-Bernal
K
K
Departamento de Cultivo de Tejido Nervioso, Centro Internacional de Restauración Neurológica, Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba.
Castillo
L
L
García
A
A
D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival; D017690:Cell Transplantation; D003584:Cytological Techniques; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017208:Rats, Wistar