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A method for removing the brain and spinal cord as one unit from adult mice and rats

Lab Animal volume 40, pages 53–57 (2011)Cite this article

Abstract

To collect complete rodent spinal cord samples for histological analysis, researchers typically use a method that involves fixation of the carcass, followed by decapitation and removal of the vertebrae and the spinal cord. Researchers then decalcify, process and embed the spinal column in paraffin. When this method is used, the spinal cord retains its natural curvature, which may be undesirable to some investigators. The authors describe a methodology by which the entire spinal cord, with the brain attached, can be removed from a mouse or rat, set against a rigid support material and fixed perfectly straight. This allows for more precise sectioning and simplified histological analysis. Researchers can even create block preparations, each of which contains multiple spinal cord sections, so that they can compare anatomically matched sections. This procedure can also be used to obtain fresh spinal cord samples that are free of bone and can be frozen in optimal cutting temperature medium.

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Figure 1
Figure 2: We continue to cut along the entire length of the mouse's spine.
Figure 3
Figure 4: The brain acts as a weight to help draw the mouse's spinal cord out.
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Figure 7: We use iris forceps to ease the rat brain and spinal cord from the spinal column.
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References

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Acknowledgements

We thank Monika Larson (Pathology Core Labs/Research, Genentech) for assistance with photography; Robin E. Taylor (Pathology Core Labs/Research, Genentech) and Dorothy French (Senior Pathologist, Genentech) for encouragement; and Adam R. Kennedy, PhD for guidance and constructive feedback.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA

    Heather S. Kennedy,  Floresita Puth,  Marjie Van Hoy &  Claire Le Pichon

Authors
  1. Heather S. Kennedy
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  2. Floresita Puth
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  3. Marjie Van Hoy
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  4. Claire Le Pichon
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Heather S. Kennedy.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Kennedy, H., Puth, F., Van Hoy, M. et al. A method for removing the brain and spinal cord as one unit from adult mice and rats. Lab Anim 40, 53–57 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/laban0211-53

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