The preservation of nerve cells in rat neostriatal slices maintained in vitro: a morphological study.

The in vitro preservation of neurons in 300 micron thin neostriatal slices, which are routinely used for electrophysiological studies, was examined by light and electron microscopy and was compared to 700 micron thick neostriatal slices. The thin slices displayed well-preserved cells after up to 5 h of incubation. This finding correlated well with whether electrical activity could be recorded. In cross-section, the thin slices consisted of three layers: the inner layer contained many intact cells (80%) and was sandwiched between the outer layers where deteriorating cells predominated. In contrast to the thin slices, the thick slices (700 micron) displayed no layering of intact cells in cross-section. Instead, the majority of cells throughout these thick slices was swollen (98%), with only small patches of intact cells. Two types of deteriorating cells were apparent: swollen cells and dark (pycnotic) cells. The proportion of swollen cells increased with incubation time. In the thin slices this swelling occurred in the outer layers with the middle layer of intact cells remaining relatively unchanged over long incubation periods, whereas all cells in the thick slices were swollen after 2 h of incubation. Dark cells were localized to the outer portion of both slices and the number of such dark cells did not change with incubation time.