Enhanced Tissue Differentiation in the Developing Mouse Brain Using Magnetic Resonance Micro-Histology

Abstract

PURPOSE: Worldwide efforts to understand developmental processes demand new high-resolution 3D imaging methods to detect the consequences of gene function in embryo development and diseases. Encouragingly, recent studies have shown that MRI contrast agents can highlight specific tissue structures in ex vivo adult mouse brains. MR imaging of mouse embryos is currently limited by a lack of tissue staining capabilities that would provide the flexibility and specificity offered by histological stains conventionally used for mouse embryo phenotyping. METHODS: The MRI staining properties of two readily available contrast agents, Mn-DPDP and Gd-DTPA, were investigated in mid-gestation mouse embryos..