Stereological estimate of the total number of neurons in spinal segment D9 of the red-eared turtle
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Stereological estimate of the total number of neurons in spinal segment D9 of the red-eared turtle. / Walløe, Solveig; Nissen, Ulla Vig; Berg, Rune W; Hounsgaard, Jørn; Pakkenberg, Bente.
In: Journal of Neuroscience, Vol. 31, No. 7, 16.02.2011, p. 2431-5.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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T1 - Stereological estimate of the total number of neurons in spinal segment D9 of the red-eared turtle
AU - Walløe, Solveig
AU - Nissen, Ulla Vig
AU - Berg, Rune W
AU - Hounsgaard, Jørn
AU - Pakkenberg, Bente
PY - 2011/2/16
Y1 - 2011/2/16
N2 - The red-eared turtle is an important animal model for investigating the neural activity in the spinal circuit that generates motor behavior. However, basic anatomical features, including the number of neurons in the spinal segments involved, are unknown. In the present study, we estimate the total number of neurons in segment D9 of the spinal cord in the red-eared turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans) using stereological cell counting methods. In transverse spinal cord sections stained with modified Giemsa, motoneurons (MNs), interneurons (INs), and non-neuronal cells were distinguished according to location and morphology. Each cell type was then counted separately using an optical disector with the cell nucleus as counting item. The number of cells in segment D9 was as follows (mean ± SE): MNs, 2049 ± 74; INs, 16,135 ± 316; non-neuronal cells, 47,504 ± 478 (n = 6). These results provide the first estimate of the total number of neurons in a spinal segment in a terrestrial vertebrate based on unbiased stereological methods and an upper bound on the number of neurons involved in segmental sensorimotor activity. These findings also form a crucial quantitative foundation for integrating electrophysiological data into mathematical circuit models.
AB - The red-eared turtle is an important animal model for investigating the neural activity in the spinal circuit that generates motor behavior. However, basic anatomical features, including the number of neurons in the spinal segments involved, are unknown. In the present study, we estimate the total number of neurons in segment D9 of the spinal cord in the red-eared turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans) using stereological cell counting methods. In transverse spinal cord sections stained with modified Giemsa, motoneurons (MNs), interneurons (INs), and non-neuronal cells were distinguished according to location and morphology. Each cell type was then counted separately using an optical disector with the cell nucleus as counting item. The number of cells in segment D9 was as follows (mean ± SE): MNs, 2049 ± 74; INs, 16,135 ± 316; non-neuronal cells, 47,504 ± 478 (n = 6). These results provide the first estimate of the total number of neurons in a spinal segment in a terrestrial vertebrate based on unbiased stereological methods and an upper bound on the number of neurons involved in segmental sensorimotor activity. These findings also form a crucial quantitative foundation for integrating electrophysiological data into mathematical circuit models.
KW - Animals
KW - Cell Count
KW - Neuroglia
KW - Neurons
KW - Phosphopyruvate Hydratase
KW - Spinal Cord
KW - Stereotaxic Techniques
KW - Turtles
U2 - 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3938-10.2011
DO - 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3938-10.2011
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 21325510
VL - 31
SP - 2431
EP - 2435
JO - The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience
JF - The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience
SN - 0270-6474
IS - 7
ER -
ID: 33729260