Visualization of the Microvasculature Structure of the Rat Sciatic Nerve
Location
CSU 253/4/5
Start Date
23-4-2007 1:00 PM
End Date
23-4-2007 3:00 PM
Student's Major
Biological Sciences
Student's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Mentor's Name
Michael Bentley
Mentor's Department
Biological Sciences
Mentor's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Description
The vascular supply to the peripheral nerves is important for axon maintenance and survival. Little information is known about the architecture of the microvascuiature and capillary beds of peripheral nerves. The microvascuiature architecture of sciatic nerves from male adult Wistar Kyoto rats were visualized by scanning electron microscopy. To visualize the vessels, a relatively new PU4ii polyurethane-based casting resin was infused into the aorta. The sciatic nerves were dissected after the resin completely polymerized. The nerves were placed in concentrated potassium chloride solution. The resulting casts were critical point dried, sputter coated with gold palladium and analyzed via scanning electron microscopy. The arterial supply and venous drainage were visible running parallel to the sciatic nerve. Capillary networks extended between the longitudinally arranged arterioles and venuoles. The arrangement may have relevance in experimental neuropathic conditions such as diabetes mellitus.
Visualization of the Microvasculature Structure of the Rat Sciatic Nerve
CSU 253/4/5
The vascular supply to the peripheral nerves is important for axon maintenance and survival. Little information is known about the architecture of the microvascuiature and capillary beds of peripheral nerves. The microvascuiature architecture of sciatic nerves from male adult Wistar Kyoto rats were visualized by scanning electron microscopy. To visualize the vessels, a relatively new PU4ii polyurethane-based casting resin was infused into the aorta. The sciatic nerves were dissected after the resin completely polymerized. The nerves were placed in concentrated potassium chloride solution. The resulting casts were critical point dried, sputter coated with gold palladium and analyzed via scanning electron microscopy. The arterial supply and venous drainage were visible running parallel to the sciatic nerve. Capillary networks extended between the longitudinally arranged arterioles and venuoles. The arrangement may have relevance in experimental neuropathic conditions such as diabetes mellitus.
Recommended Citation
Witthaus, Michael W. and Adam W. Sudbeck. "Visualization of the Microvasculature Structure of the Rat Sciatic Nerve." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 23, 2007.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2007/poster-session-A/1
