Tavakkoli Z, Salehi MS, Jameie F, Rahimi M, Koohpeyma F, Dianatpour M, Miyan JA, Pandamooz S. Simple methods for cerebrospinal fluid collection in fetal, neonatal, and adult rat.
J Neurosci Methods 2023;
399:109971. [PMID:
37722626 DOI:
10.1016/j.jneumeth.2023.109971]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection and its analysis are common medical practices useful in the diagnosis, therapy, and prevention of central nervous system (CNS) disorders. In recent years, several types of research have improved our insight into CSF and its role in health and disease. Yet, many characteristics of this fluid remain to be fully understood.
NEW METHODS
Here, we describe how to collect CSF from embryonic, postnatal, and adult stages of the rat. In adults, CSF can be collected through simple stereotaxic surgery to expose the membrane overlying the cisterna magna (CM) of an anesthetized rat and collection of CSF through micropipette puncture through the membrane. In embryos and pups, CSF is aspirated, using a fire-polished micro-capillary pipette, from the CM of animals.
RESULTS
Application of these methods provides the maximum volume of pure, uncontaminated CSF (embryonic day 19: 10-15 microliter, postnatal day 5: 20-30 microliter, adults: 100-200 microliter) with a success rate of approximately 95% in every age.
COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS
Compared to the existing protocols, these methods obtain considerable volumes of CSF, which may accelerate the measurement of biological markers in this fluid. Also, these techniques do not require surgical skills and according to the practical points mentioned during sampling, the procedures can be performed in rapid fashion.
CONCLUSION
We describe simple methods for collecting CSF in live rats. These protocols provide clean, uncontaminated CSF for experiments to understand the exact role of this fluid in the development and maintenance of the CNS health.
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