The use of stereological counting methods to assess immediate early gene immunoreactivity

摘要: The issue of whether profile and stereological counting methods are interchangeably accurate when assessing immediate early gene expression still needs to be resolved. To compare these two techniques, we quantified the c-fos in nucleus accumbens core shell, lateral septum as a control structure, rats treated with neuroleptics. With method, which relies on selective placement grid within evaluated density labeled cells box fixed dimension. stereology, applies random systematic sampling methods, used optical fractionator method counted absolute number contours each structure examined. Our results showed that substantial increase shell induced by haloperidol treatment was detected both methods; contrast, weaker effect clozapine differentially methods. Whereas reported reduction clozapine, an septum, effects were not replicated using stereology. These findings suggest do always produce equivalent results. This may particularly relevant measured is relatively small, it distributed homogeneously structure. In this respect, stereology yield more unbiased than therefore preferred for thorough investigation specific brain region.