Method for morphophysiological study of specific pial microvessels

Abstract

A method is described whereby specific segments of the pial vasculature of cats can be physiologically and morphologically studied. A cranial window is inserted through which specific pial vessels can be visualized, illustrated and numbered in a simple sketch and physiologically evaluated under control and experimental conditions. Following these procedures, perfusion of aldehydes is initiated and the pia and associated vasculature and stripped from the cortical mantle. The thin velum of pia so obtained permits the direct visualization of the pial vasculature whose unchanged configuration can be matched to the appropriate sketched vessels whose individual physiological status is known. These vessels are divided into alternate segments and are prepared for either scanning or transmission electron microscopy. The advantage of this methodology is that it provides the physiological status and morphological characteristics of the same microvascular segment. Although designed for the pial vasculature, this protocol may prove of use in the study of other superficially coursing microvascular beds.