Visualization of mouse spinal cord microscopic structures by use of ex vivo quantitative micro-CT images.
Histologic methods are destructive and provide only two-dimensional images, whereas three-dimensional information is difficult to obtain. Simple and noninvasive techniques to make up for the shortcomings of histologic experiments are needed. In this study, we investigated the use of micro-CT with a contrast agent for the characterization of fixed mouse spinal cords as a means of assessing micro-structures ex vivo. In addition, we tested the possibility of using contrast agent concentrations for quantitative assessment of ex vivo micro-CT imaging. The spinal cords were soaked in nonionic iodinated contrast agents, and three-dimensional micro-CT was performed. Soaking of the mouse spinal cords in contrast agent resulted in clear differences in signal between the gray matter and the white matter at three planes, and well-defined micro-structures of nerve and bone were observed with the use of three-dimensional micro-CT data. We confirmed the potential of ex vivo micro-CT with contrast agent for quantitative assessment of the concentrations.
Division of Medical Technology and Science, Department of Medical Physics and Engineering, Faculty of Health Science, Course of Health Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 1-7 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan. saito@sahs.med.osaka-u.ac.jp
Shigeyoshi
S
Saito
Kenya
K
Murase
D000818:Animals; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000737:chemistry; D054879:Halogenation; D007101:Immersion; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000378:metabolism; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography / Q000379:methods*
D003287:Contrast Media