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Improved preparation of chick embryonic samples for magnetic resonance microscopy
Author(s) -
Zhang Xiaowei,
Yelbuz T. Mesud,
Cofer Gary P.,
Choma Michael A.,
Kirby Margaret L.,
Johnson G. Allan
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
magnetic resonance in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.696
H-Index - 225
eISSN - 1522-2594
pISSN - 0740-3194
DOI - 10.1002/mrm.10460
Subject(s) - magnetic resonance microscopy , fixative , embryonic heart , magnetic resonance imaging , fixation (population genetics) , voxel , contrast (vision) , microscopy , biomedical engineering , gadolinium , high resolution , nuclear magnetic resonance , chemistry , materials science , embryonic stem cell , pathology , medicine , computer science , spin echo , physics , radiology , frozen section procedure , artificial intelligence , biochemistry , organic chemistry , remote sensing , gene , geology
Previous work demonstrated the power of three‐dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) to follow complicated morphologic development in the embryonic cardiovascular system. In this study we describe a new dual‐contrast method for specimen preparation that combines perfusion fixation and immersion in fixative with macro‐ and small molecular gadolinium agents to provide enhanced definition of both the heart wall and chamber. MRM was performed at 9.4 T with image resolutions of 25, 31, and 50 μm isotropic voxels for three stages of chick embryos (day 4, day 5.5, and day 9), and compared to histological sections of the same embryos. The results show considerable improvement of image quality over previous efforts, with better signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) and contrast between the cardiac chamber and myocardial wall. Excellent correlation was shown between the MRM images and histological sections. Thus, 3D high‐resolution MRM in combination with the dual‐contrast technique is useful for acquiring quantitative 3D morphologic data regarding heart development. Magn Reson Med 49:1192–1195, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.