gms | German Medical Science

55. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie e. V. (DGNC)
1. Joint Meeting mit der Ungarischen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie (DGNC) e. V.

25. bis 28.04.2004, Köln

Ambystoma mexicanum or the Axolotl: A novel experimental nerve regeneration model

Ambystoma mexicanum oder der Axolotl: ein neuartiges Nervenregenerationsmodell

Meeting Abstract

  • corresponding author Kartik G. Krishnan - Department of Neurological Surgery, Carl Gustav Carus University Hospital, Fetscherstrasse 74, 01307 Dresden
  • R. Jung - Department of Neurological Surgery, Carl Gustav Carus University Hospital, Fetscherstrasse 74, 01307 Dresden
  • H.-K. Schackert - Department of Neurological Surgery, Carl Gustav Carus University Hospital, Fetscherstrasse 74, 01307 Dresden
  • G. Schackert - Department of Neurological Surgery, Carl Gustav Carus University Hospital, Fetscherstrasse 74, 01307 Dresden

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie. Ungarische Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie. 55. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie e.V. (DGNC), 1. Joint Meeting mit der Ungarischen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie. Köln, 25.-28.04.2004. Düsseldorf, Köln: German Medical Science; 2004. DocDI.04.12

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.egms.de/en/meetings/dgnc2004/04dgnc0190.shtml

Published: April 23, 2004

© 2004 Krishnan et al.
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Outline

Text

Objective

Ambystoma mexicanum or the axolotl belongs to the Urodele group of amphibians. This animal is widely known for its capabilities of regenerating not only differentiated specific tissues, such as brain and spinal cord, but also tissue complexes, such as whole extremities. The embryonic and larval stages of axolotls are known experimental models in developmental biology. The adult axolotl model from the perspective of peripheral nerve surgery is yet to be described.To describe a new animal model for conducting studies on peripheral nerve regeneration. To describe the anatomical and physiological features of Ambystoma mexicanum (the Axolotl- an Urodele amphibian). To describe the technical features of experimentation with this species.

Methods

Six axolotls were anesthetized by immersing the animals in a 0.3% solution of Tricaine-methane-sulfonate. The topographical anatomy of the nerves, vessels and muscles were studied by microsurgical dissection of 24 extremities. Histological staining (H+E, Toluidine, Anti-Neurotubulin, GFAP) of various tissue components of the extremities and light microscopic studies were conducted. Euthanasia was through immersion in a higly concentrated anesthetic solution and decapitation.

Results

The topographical anatomy of the extremities with special attention to nerves and the histological features are described. Microscopic studies allow the identification of neural structures as in mammalian species.

Conclusions

We described a new animal model for peripheral nerve regeneration studies.

Note

Our experimentation is still in progress. The results of nerve regeneration studies in the axolotl will be available at the time of presentation.