Skip to main content
Log in

The development of synapses in vitro between previously dissociated chick spinal cord neurons

  • Published:
Zeitschrift für Zellforschung und Mikroskopische Anatomie Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The formation and development of synaptic contacts between dissociated chick spinal cord neurons has been investigated. By the 6th day in vitro “immature” profiles with few vesicles were observed. By 14–18 days “mature” types with numerous vesicles were found, indistinguishable from those of newly hatched chick spinal cord. After this period degeneration occurred, and was especially marked in the post-synaptic element. Such degeneration could be postponed by the addition of small numbers of somatic muscle cells. The Kanaseki and Kadota (1969) technique was applied to the study of coated vesicles at various stages of synaptic development.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Altman, J.: Coated vesicles and synaptogenesis. A developmental study in the cerebellar cortex of the rat. Brain Res. 30, 311–322 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  • Andres, K. H.: Mikropinozytose im Zentralnervensystem. Z. Zellforsch. 64, 63–73 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bunge, M. B., Bunge, R. P., Peterson, E. R.: The onset of synapse formation in spinal cord cultures as studied by electron microscopy. Brain Res. 6, 728–749 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Corner, M. A., Crain, S. M.: Patterns of spontaneous bioelectric activity during maturation in cultures of foetal rodent medulla and spinal cord tissues. J. Neurobiol. 3, 25–45 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  • Crain, S. M.: Development of “Organotypic” bio-electric activity in the central nervous tissue during maturation in culture. Int. Rev. Neurobiol. 9, 1–43 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Crain, S. M., Bornstein, M. B.: Organotypic bio-electric activity in cultured reaggregates of dissociated rodent brain cells. Science 176, 182–184 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  • Crain, S. M., Peterson, E. R.: Complex bio-electric activity in organized tissue culture of spinal cord. J. cell. comp. Physiol. 64, 13 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Crain, S. M., Peterson, E. R.: Onset and development of functional inter-neuronal connections in explants of rat spinal cord and ganglia during maturation in culture. Brain Res. 6, 750–762 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Cuenod, M., Sandri, C., Akert, K.: Enlarged synaptic vesicles in optic nerve terminals induced by intraocular ingestion of colchicine. Brain Res. 39, 285–296 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  • Firket, H.: Polyester sheeting (Melinex O), a tissue culture support easily separable from epoxy resins after flat-face embedding. Stain Technol 41, 189–191 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischbach, G. D.: Synaptic potentials recorded in cell cultures of nerve and muscle. Science 189, 1331–1333 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Glucksman, A.: Cell death in normal vertebrate ontogeny. Biol. Rev. 26, 59–86 (1951).

    Google Scholar 

  • Grainger, A. F., James, D. W., Tresman, R. L.: An electron microscopic study of the early outgrowth from chick spinal cord in vitro. Z. Zellforsch. 90, 53–67 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • Gray, E. G.: The granule cells, mossy synapses and Purkinje cell synapses of the cerebellum; light and electron microscopic observations. J. Anat. (Lond.) 95, 345–356 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Gray, E. G., Guillery, R. W.: Synaptic morphology in the normal and degenerating nervous system. Int. Rev. Cytol. 19, 111–122 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Gray, E. G., Willis, R. A.: On synaptic vesicles, complex vesicles, and dense projections. Brain Res. 24, 149–168 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris, A. E.: Ph. D. Thesis — Cambridge University (1965).

  • James, D. W., Tresman, R. L.: An electron microscopic study of the de novo formation of neuromuscular junctions in tissue culture. Z. Zellforsch. 100, 126–140 (1969a).

    Google Scholar 

  • James, D. W., Tresman, R. L.: Synaptic profiles in the outgrowth from chick spinal cord in vitro. Z. Zellforsch. 101, 598–606 (1969b).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanaseki, T., Kadota, K.: The “Vesicle in a Basket”. J. Cell Biol. 42, 202–220 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kawana, E., Akert, K., Bruppacher, H.: Enlargement of synaptic vesicles as an early sign of terminal degeneration in the rat caudate nucleus. J. comp. Neurol. 142, 297–308 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  • Larramendi, L. M. H.: Synaptogenic period of mossy terminals in mouse cerebellum. An electron microsconic study. Anat. Rec. 157, 275 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Levi-Montalcini, R.: The origin and development of the visceral system in the spinal cord of the chick embryo. J. Morph. 86, 253–281 (1950).

    Google Scholar 

  • Masurovsky, E. B., Benitez, H. H., Murray, M. R.: Synaptic development in long-term organized cultures of murine hypothalamus. J. comp. Neurol. 143, 263–278 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  • Meller, K., Breipohl, W., Wagner, H., Knutz, A.: On the differentiation of isolated nerve and glial cells from trypsinized spinal cord of chick embryos in vitro. Z. Zellforsch. 101, 135–151 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Oppenheim, R. W., Foelix, R. F.: Synaptogenesis in the chick embryo spinal cord. Nature (Lond.) New Biol. 235, 126–128 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, E. S.: The use of lead citrate at high pH as an electron-opaque stain in electron microscopy. J. Cell Biol. 17, 208–212 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Seeds, N. W., Vatter, A. E.: Synaptogenesis in reaggregating brain cell cultures. Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. (Wash.) 68, 3219–3222 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  • Tennyson, V. M.: The fine structure of the axon and growth cone of the dorsal root neuroblast of the rabbit embryo. J. Cell Biol. 44, 67–79 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Uchizono, K.: Characteristics of excitatory and inhibitory synapses in the central nervous system of the cat. Nature (Lond.) 207, 642–643 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Woodward, D. J., Hoffer, B. J., Siggins, G. R., Bloom, F. E.: The ontogenetic development of synaptic functions, synaptic activation and responsiveness to neuro-transmitter substances in the rat cerebellar Purkinje cells. Brain Res. 34, 73–97 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bird, M.M., James, D.W. The development of synapses in vitro between previously dissociated chick spinal cord neurons. Z.Zellforsch 140, 203–216 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00306695

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00306695

Key words

Navigation