In vivo fibre optic confocal imaging of microvasculature and nerves in the rat vas deferens and colon.
A fluorescence confocal microscopy technique was employed to obtain subsurface images of nerve and microvascular structure in the vas deferens and colon of the living rat. The use of dual labelling with vital dyes and 2-channel confocal acquisition allowed differentiation of microscopic structure at both low and higher magnification. Characteristic staining patterns of nerves and blood vessels were repeatedly obtained in each tissue, suggesting the potential of this technique for studying morphological changes associated with surgical procedures and/or models of neuronal or vascular pathology.
Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
G D
GD
Papworth
P M
PM
Delaney
L J
LJ
Bussau
L T
LT
Vo
R G
RG
King
D000818:Animals; D003106:Colon / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000294:innervation*; D003911:Dextrans; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009197:Myenteric Plexus / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology; D011726:Pyridinium Compounds; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014649:Vas Deferens / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000294:innervation*
D003911:Dextrans; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D011726:Pyridinium Compounds; C015219:fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran; C052247:4-(4-diethylaminostyryl)-N-methylpyridinium; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate