Micro-CT Imaging and Morphometric Analysis of Mouse Neonatal Brains

Summary

This study describes the steps for obtaining high-resolution images of neonatal mouse brains by combining micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and a contrast agent in ex vivo samples. We describe basic morphometric analyses to quantify brain size and shape in these images.

Abstract

Neuroimages are a valuable tool for studying brain morphology in experiments using animal models. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become the standard method for soft tissues, although its low spatial resolution poses some limits for small animals. Here, we describe a protocol for obtaining high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) information on mouse neonate brains and skulls using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). The protocol includes those steps needed to dissect the samples, stain and scan the brain, and obtain morphometric measurements of the whole organ and regions of interest (ROIs). Image analysis includes the segmentation of structures and the digitization of point coordinates. In sum, this work shows that the combination of micro-CT and Lugol's solution as a contrast agent is a suitable alternative for imaging the perinatal brains of small animals. This imaging workflow has applications in developmental biology, biomedicine, and other sciences interested in assessing the effect of diverse genetic and environmental factors on brain development.

Introduction

Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) imaging is a valuable tool for different fields of research. In biology, it is especially suitable for bone research because of X-ray absorption in mineralized tissues. Due to this feature, diverse questions regarding bone development¹, metabolism², and evolution^3,4, among other topics, have been approached with the assistance of micro-CT. In 2008, de Crespigny et al.⁵ showed that micro-CT images of adult mouse and rabbit brains could be obtained using iodine as a contrast agent. T....

Protocol

All experimental procedures followed the guidelines of the Canadian Council on Animal Care.

1. Sample collection and preparation

1. Prepare 500 mL of 4% paraformaldehyde (PFA).
   1. Under an extraction flux in a cabinet, add 20 g of PFA powder to 250 mL of 1x phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) in a 1 L glass beaker. Place the beaker with a magnet on a magnetic stirring plate.
   2. Stir while heating. With a thermometer, constantly check the temperature of th.......

Discussion

In this work, a concise protocol to scan neonatal brain tissues of mice using micro-CT with a contrast agent is introduced. In addition, it includes simple procedures to obtain quantitative and qualitative outputs. Building on these methods, further alternative or complementary analyses can be performed.

As shown in the protocol, micro-CT images can be analyzed in different ways. In previous studies, our group estimated the size and shape variation in perinatal brains of mice by digitizing coo.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
µCT 35	Scanco Medical AG		Note that Scanco does not offer the  µCT 35 anymore. Their smallest scanner is now the  µCT 45
Avizo	Visualization Sciences Group, VSG
C57BL/6 Mice	Bioterio Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias Universidad Nacional de La Plata
Conical tubes	Daigger	CH-CI4610-1856
Flux cabinet	Esco	AC2-458
Glass beaker	Glassco	GL-229.202.10
Glass bottle	Simax	CFB017
Glass funnel	HDA	VI1108
HCl	Carlo Erba	403872	Manipulate under a flux cabinet and use personal protective equipment (mask, glass and gloves)
I2	Cicarelli	804211	When preparing I2KI, manipulate under a flux cabinet and use personal protective equipment (mask, glass and gloves)
KI	Cicarelli	PA131542.1210	When preparing I2KI, manipulate under a flux cabinet and use personal protective equipment (mask, glass and gloves)
Magnetic stirring	Arcano	4925
NaOH	Cicarelli	1580110	Manipulate under a flux cabinet and use personal protective equipment (mask, glass and gloves)
Orbital shaker	Biomint	BM021
Paraformaldehyde	Biopack	2000959400	Manipulate under a flux cabinet and use personal protective equipment (mask, glass and gloves)
Paton spatula	Glassco	GL-377.303.01
PBS	Biopack	2000988800
Plastic Pasteur pipette	Daigger	9153
R	R Project		The package geomorph for R was used in the protocol (https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/geomorph/index.html)
Scissors	Belmed
Sodium azide	Biopack	2000163500
Thermometer	Daigger	7650