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Scanning electron microscopy of injection replicas of the chick embryo circulatory system
Author(s) -
Dollinger Russell K.,
Armstrong Peter B.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
journal of microscopy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.569
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1365-2818
pISSN - 0022-2720
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2818.1974.tb03977.x
Subject(s) - circulatory system , scanning electron microscope , lumen (anatomy) , polymerization , polyester , materials science , electron microscope , biomedical engineering , aqueous solution , chemistry , anatomy , polymer , biology , composite material , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , optics , physics , endocrinology
Summary The injection replication procedure has been modified for study of the thin and very delicate blood vessels of young embryos. Batson's corrosion compound (a polyester resin) modified for rapid polymerization (20:3.0:0.25, monomer: catalyst: promoter) was effective in replicating even very small blood vessels without excessive distension. Since injection of plastic induced violent heart spasms with eventual expulsion of plastic from the ventricular lumen, contractility of the heart was inhibited by injection of a 2% (w/v) aqueous solution of KNO 3 prior to injection with polyester resin. Following polymerization of the injected resin, the tissues were macerated and removed, leaving a solid three‐dimensional cast of the lumen of the circulatory system. The casts were photographed with the scanning electron microscope to produce accurate micrographs for study of the developmental anatomy of the circulatory system.