AN IMPROVED COBALT LABELING TECHNIQUE WITH COMPLEX-COMPOUNDS

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  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 30  (1-2) , 79-86
Abstract
Axon labeling with CoCl2, cobaltous lysine and cobaltic lysine complexes was compared on dorsal roots and nerves of the spinal cord and brain stem in the living frog. The most satisfactory staining of fibers and terminals was given by CoCl2; its application was limited by its rather short (6-10 mm) axonal transport. Cobaltous lysine is transported somewhat better, but gave a poor fiber staining in the spinal cord. The axonal transport of cobaltic lysine was the best, covering a distance of 40-50 mm. Combination of cobaltic lysine with 2-5% dimethyl sulfoxide greatly enhanced the axonal uptake of Co and extended the distance of transport to 70-80 mm. Better transport of Co complexes apparently is achieved by their less toxic effect on the nerve cell.