This service includes tissue preparation, sectioning, silver-staining, mounting, coverslipping and labeling of slides. As a result, you will receive up to 60 silver-stained sections per brain or per tissue block ready for microscopic observations. To express our appreciation, a set of Nissl (or H & E) stained sections adjacent to those used for silver-staining will also be provided for you without additional cost.

Procedure: Following cryoprotection, tissue will be rapidly frozen in isopentane pre-cooled to -70°C. The frozen tissue will be cut on a cryostat and collected in phosphate buffer containing 4 % paraformaldehady. Subsequently, sections cut through various levels (or the levels of your choice) will be processed free-floating for the detection of neurons undergoing degeneration with FD NeuroSilver^TM Kit I.

FD NeuroSilver^TM Kit I (cf. Product NDT103) is designed for the detection of degenerating neurons in fixed tissue sections of the central nervous system from experimental animals. This kit has been used widely in animal studies under various experimental conditions^1-8. The kit has proven extremely specific and sensitive for the detection of degenerating neuronal somata, axons, and terminals in both the brain and spinal cord (cf. photo samples). It is particularly useful for the detection of small numbers of degenerating neurons that may not be demonstrable with routine histopathological techniques. In addition, this kit may be used in combination with immunohistochemistry (cf. ref. 2 & photo samples).

Remarks:
A quotation is required before placing an order.
The investigator needs to provide fixed tissue.
Please contact us for more information.

References:
1. Burns LH, Jin Z and Bowersox SS: The neuroprotective effects of intrathecal administration of the selective N-type calcium channel blocker ziconotide in a rat model of spinal ischemia. J. Vasc. Surg. 30:334-343, 1999.

2. Betarbet R, Sherer TB, MacKenzie G, Garcia-Osuna M, Panov AV and Greenamyre JT: Chronic systemic pesticide exposure reproduces features of Parkinson’s disease. Nature Neuroscience 3: 1301-1306, 2000.

3. Zito MA, Koennecke LA, McAuliffe MJ, McNally B, van Rooijen N and Heyes MP: Depletion of systemic macrophages by liposome-encapsulated clodronate attenuates striatal macrophage invasion and neurodegeneration following local endotoxin infusion in gerbils. Brain Res. 892:13-26, 2001.

4. Northington FJ, Ferriero DM, Graham EM, Traystman RJ, and Martin LJ: Early neurodegeneration after hypoxia-ischemia in neonatal rat is necrosis while delayed neuronal death is apoptosis. Neurobiol. Dis. 8:207-219, 2001.

5. Ding Y, Yao B, Lai Q and McAllister JP: Impaired motor learning and diffuse axonal damage in motor and visual systems of the rat following traumatic brain injury. Neurol. Res. 23: 193-202, 2001.

6. Shoham S, Javitt DC and Heresco-Levy U: Chronic high-dose glycine nutrition: effects on rat brain cell morphology. Biol. Psychiatry 49: 876-885, 2001.

7. Ding Y, McAllister JP, Yao B, Yan N and Canady AI: Axonal damage associated with enlargement of ventricles during hydrocephalus: a silver impregnation study. Neurol. Res. 23: 581-587, 2001.

8. Ding Y, McAllister JP, Yao B, Yan N and Canady AI: Neuron tolerance during hydrocephalus. Neuroscience 106: 659-667, 2001.