Skip to main content

Microwave Fixation of Rat Hippocampal Slices

  • Protocol
Microwave Techniques and Protocols

Abstract

The authors’ research focuses on the structural basis of synaptic function. Knowing the dimensions and connectivity of presynaptic and postsynaptic elements is necessary for understanding the mechanisms of synaptic transmission in the central nervous system. To this end, electrophysiological (EP) methods are used in combination with confocal microscopy, serial electron microscopy (EM), three-dimensional reconstruction, and quantitative image analysis. Microwave (MW)-enhanced methods for preparing hippocampal (HC) slices are described in this chapter. These procedures have been adapted from (1989) and (1985).

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

Access this chapter

Protocol
USD 49.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Andersen P, Silfvenius H, Sundberg SH, Sveen O (1980) Comparison of distal and proximal dendritic synapses on CA1 pyramids in guinea-pig hippocampal slices in vitro. J Physiol (Lond.) 307:273–299.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chang FLF, Greenough WT (1984) Transient and enduring morphological correlates of synaptic activity and efficacy change in the rat hippocampal slice. Brain Res 309:35–46.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Evers P, Uylings HB, Suurmeijer AJ (1998) Antigen retrieval in formaldehyde-fixed human brain tissue. Methods 15:133–140.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Feirabend HK, Kok P, Choufoer H, Ploeger S (1994) Preservation of myelinated fibers for electron microscopy: a qualitative comparison of aldehyde fixation, microwave stabilisation and other procedures all completed by osmication. J Neurosci Methods 55:137–153.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fiala JC, Feinberg M, Popov V, Harris KM (1998) Synaptogenesis via dendritic filopodia in developing hippocampal area CA1. J Neurosci 18:8900–8911.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Giberson RT, Demaree RS, Jr. (1995) Microwave fixation: understanding the variables to achieve rapid reproducible results. Microsc Res Tech 32:246–254.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Giberson RT, Demaree RS Jr., Nordhausen RW (1997) Four-hour processing of clinical/diagnostic specimens for electron microscopy using microwave technique. J Vet Diagn Invest 9:61–67.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harris KM, Cruce WLR, Greenough WT, Teyler TJ (1980) A Golgi impregnation technique for thin brain slices maintained in vitro. J Neurosci Methods 2:363–371.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harris KM, Teyler TJ (1984) Developmental onset of long-term potentiation in area CA1 of the rat hippocampus. J Physiol (London) 346:27–48.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harris KM, Jensen FE, Tsao B (1992) Three-dimensional structure of dendritic spines and synapses in rat hippocampus (CA1) at postnatal day 15 and adult ages: implications for the maturation of synaptic physiology and long-term potentiation. J Neurosci 12:2685–2705.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hayat MA (1989) Positive staining. In: Principles and Techniques of Electron Microscopy. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, pp. 272, 273.

    Google Scholar 

  • Horobin RW (1998) Problems and artifacts of microwave accelerated procedures in neurohistotechnology and resolutions. Methods 15:101–106.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson PS, Suppes T, Harris KM (1993) Stereotypical changes in the pattern and duration of long-term potentiation at postnatal days 11 and 15 in the rat hippocampus. J Neurophysiol 70:1412–1419.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jensen FE, Harris KM (1989) Preservation of neuronal ultrastructure in hippocampal slices using rapid microwave-enhanced fixation. J Neurosci Methods 29:217–230.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kirov SA, Sorra KE, Harris KM (1999) Slices have more synapses than perfusion-fixed hippocampus from both young and mature rats. J Neurosci 19:2876–2886.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kirov SA, Harris KM (1999) Dendrites are more spiny on mature hippocampal neurons when synapses are inactivated. Nat Neurosci 2(10):878–883.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kok LP, Boon ME (1992) Microwave Cookbook for Microscopists. Coulomb, Leiden, The Netherlands.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kok LP, Boon ME (1990) Microwaves for microscopy. J Microsc 158:291–322.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Loberg EM, Torvik A (1993) Distinction between artefactually shrunken and truly degenerated ‘dark’ neurons by in situ fixation with microwave irradiation. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 19:359–363.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Login GR (1978) Microwave fixation versus formalin fixation of surgical and autopsy tissue. Am J Med Technol 44:435–437.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Login GR, Dvorak AM (1985) Microwave energy fixation for electron microscopy. Am J Pathol 120:230–243.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Login GR, Dvorak AM (1994a) Application of microwave fixation techniques in pathology to neuroscience studies: a review. J Neurosci Methods 55:173–182.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Login GR, Dvorak AM (1994b) Methods of microwave fixation for microscopy. A review of research and clinical applications: 1970–1992. Prog Histochem Cytochem 27:1–127.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Login GR, Dvorak AM (1994c) The Microwave Tool Book. Beth Israel Hospital, Boston.

    Google Scholar 

  • Login GR, Leonard JB, Dvorak AM (1998) Calibration and standardization of microwave ovens for fixation of brain and peripheral nerve tissue. Methods 15:107–117.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mizuhira V, Notoya M, Hasegawa H (1990) New tissue fixation methods for cytochemistry using microwave irradiation. I. General remarks. Ada Histochem Cytochem 23:501–523.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ohtani H, Naganuma H, Nagura H (1990) Microwave-stimulated fixation for histocytochemistry: application to surgical pathology and preembedding immunoelectron microscopy. Acta Histochem Cytochem 23:585–597.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ohtani H (1991) Microwave-stimulated fixation for preembedding immunoelectron microscopy. EurJ Morphol 29:64–67.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Petukhov VV, Popov VI (1986) Quantitative analysis of ultrastructural changes in synapses of the rat hippocampal field CA3 in vitro in different functional states. Neuroscience 18:823–835.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reid KH, Edmonds HL, Jr., Schurr A, Tseng MT, West CA (1988) Pitfalls in the use of brain slices. Progr Neurobiol 31:1–18.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shepherd GMG, Harris KM (1998) Three-dimensional structure and composition of CA3→CA1 axons in rat hippocampal slices: implications forpresynaptic connectivity and compartmentalization. J Neurosci 18:8300–8310.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sorra KE, Harris KM (1998) Stability in synapse number and size at 2 hr after long-term potentiation in hippocampal area CA1. J Neurosci 18:658–671.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • White EL, Amitai Y, Gutnick MJ (1994) Comparison of synapses onto the somata of intrinsically bursting and regular spiking neurons in layer V of rat SmI cortex. J Comp Neurol 342:1–14.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2001 Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ

About this protocol

Cite this protocol

Feinberg, M.D., Szumowski, K.M., Harris, K.M. (2001). Microwave Fixation of Rat Hippocampal Slices. In: Giberson, R.T., Demaree, R.S. (eds) Microwave Techniques and Protocols. Springer Protocols Handbooks. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-128-2_7

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-128-2_7

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-89603-903-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-128-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics