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Title: In vitro studies on the development of neocortex: The influence of subcortical structures

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:5672709

The specific target and afferent associated survival requirements of specific populations of cortical cells growing in vitro were investigated using the technique of explant culture. Explants of rat embryonic day 14-15 posterior cortex were cultured with another cortical explant (Cx + Cx), a diencephalic explant (Cx + D) or a tectal explant (Cx + T) for 5 days in vitro (DIV). Stereological analysis of the cortical explants revealed that all cortical explants contain equal proportions of neurons, glia, neuropil, and degenerating profiles. To determine if different populations were contained in the different cocultures, HRP filling and {sup 3}H-thymidine techniques were used to characterize the cortical populations. Specific differences in the morphology of the cells and their time of origin were found in the cortical explants. To determine the underlying mechanism responsible for the differences in the cortical populations, a detailed tritiated thymidine study was undertaken. All cocultures were given a pulse of {sup 3}H-thymidine for each of the 5 DIV, and the percent of the population represented by {sup 3}H-thymidine labeled profiles and {sup 3}H-thymidine labeled degenerating profiles was determined.

Research Organization:
Medical Coll. of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (USA)
OSTI ID:
5672709
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English