Intramuscular Injections Along the Motor End Plates to Shuttle Tracers Directly into Rat Motor Neurons

Abstract

Source: Mohan, R., et al. Intramuscular Injections Along the Motor End Plates: A Minimally Invasive Approach to Shuttle Tracers Directly into Motor Neurons. J. Vis. Exp. (2015)

This video demonstrates the targeted delivery of a fluorescent neuronal tracer into motor neurons via intramuscular injection at the motor end plates (MEPs). It outlines the steps involved in preparing the rat, injecting the tracer, and assessing labeled motor neurons for neurotherapeutic potential.

Protocol

All procedures involving animal models have been reviewed by the local institutional animal care committee and the JoVE veterinary review board.

1. Intramuscular Injections at the Motor End Plates

1. Pull glass micropipettes with a micropipette puller (the use of graded micropipettes with plungers is recommended). With the help of a dissecting microscope, break the tips of the micropipettes with a pair of forceps such that the internal diameter of the lumen of the micropipette is approximately 0.5 mm.
2. Ensure that all surgical instruments used are freshly autoclaved and that the surgical area is sterile.
3. Fill the micropipettes with Fluoro-Gol....

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Fluoro-Gold	Fluorochrome, LLC	Nil	Diluted to 5%
Drummond PCR Micropipets 1-10 μl	Drummond Scientific	5-000-1001-X10	accompanied with plungers
Isothesia	Provet	ISOF00	1000 mg/g Isoflurane inhalation vapour
Autoclip 9 mm Wound Clips	Texas Scientific Instruments, LLC	205016