An efficient method to estimate cell number and volume in multiple dorsal root ganglia

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Abstract

The combined use of the optical fractionator and the rotator was used to estimate the number of neurons and the mean neuronal volume in multiple and/or individual celloidin-embedded dorsal root ganglia of adult macaque monkeys. The cervical ganglia C₄-T₂ from both sides were studied. Ganglia from the same side were embedded in a single block and isotropic orientation of each ganglion in the horizontal plane was ensured in order to obtain vertical sections. Sampling, counting and measuring were carried out with the help of an interactive computer system, and test grids were provided by the GRlD® general stereological software package (Olympus Denmark). The mean number of neurons on each side of the C₄-T₂ set was 236,500, with a moderate variation among animals (CV_a =O.13). Of these neurons, 42% were A-type and 56% were B-type. Neuron numbers for each ganglion showed important segmental and side differences both within and between animals. Mean neuronal volume (uncorrected for shrinkage) was 29,862 μm³ for A cells (CV_a=0.13) and 5,062 μm³ for B cells (CV_a=0.08), and no side differences were found. Soma size distribution was heavily skewed and there was a substantial overlap between the volume distributions of the two cell types.

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A propos de : Alfonso Lagares

A propos de : Carlos Avendaño