Light Microscopic Identification and Photography of Golgi Impregnated Central Nervous System Neurons During Sectioning for Electron Microscopy

Abstract

A method is described for a rapid and systematic light microscopic documentation of Golgi impregnated neurons during sectioning for EM. A drawing under the light microscope of a Golgi impregnated neuron is made and thin sections of the tissue containing this neuron are cut in the same plane as for light microscopy. During thin sectioning the chuck containing the block is taken out of the ultramicrotome at regular intervals and placed in a special device under a light microscope. The neuron is photographed to record the stage of sectioning. Comparison of the micrographs indicates which part of the neuron and its dendritic tree are contained in the thin sections. No semi-thin sections are used, so no material is lost for reconstruction.