A three-dimensional stereotaxic atlas of the gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica) brain

Krzysztof Turlejski,Władysław P Węglarz,Natalia Chlodzinska,Piotr Majka,Tomasz Banasik,Ruzanna L Djavadian,Daniel K Wójcik

doi:10.1007/s00429-017-1540-x

Abstract

The gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica) is a small marsupial gaining recognition as a laboratory animal in biomedical research. Despite numerous studies on opossum neuroanatomy, a consistent and comprehensive neuroanatomical reference for this species is still missing. Here we present the first three-dimensional, multimodal atlas of the Monodelphis opossum brain. It is based on four complementary imaging modalities: high resolution ex vivo magnetic resonance images, micro-computed tomography scans of the cranium, images of the face of the cutting block, and series of sections stained with the Nissl method and for myelinated fibers. Individual imaging modalities were reconstructed into a three-dimensional form and then registered to the MR image by means of affine and deformable registration routines. Based on a superimposition of the 3D images, 113 anatomical structures were demarcated and the volumes of individual regions were measured. The stereotaxic coordinate system was defined using a set of cranial landmarks: interaural line, bregma, and lambda, which allows for easy expression of any location within the brain with respect to the skull. The atlas is released under the Creative Commons license and available through various digital atlasing web services.

Highlights

To tackle the complexity of the vertebrate central nervous system and unveil the origins of its pathology and disease, various animal models are used in neuroscience
We present the first three-dimensional, multimodal atlas of the Monodelphis opossum brain. It is based on four complementary imaging modalities: high resolution ex vivo magnetic resonance images, microcomputed tomography scans of the cranium, images of the face of the cutting block, and series of sections stained with the Nissl method and for myelinated fibers
The stereotaxic coordinate system was defined using a set of cranial landmarks: interaural line, bregma, and lambda, which allows for easy expression of any location within the brain with respect to the skull

Summary

Introduction

To tackle the complexity of the vertebrate central nervous system and unveil the origins of its pathology and disease, various animal models are used in neuroscience. One of them is the gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica) recently gaining recognition in biomedical research. It is a small (80–150 g) marsupial native to xeric regions of South America (Macrini 2004; Smith 2008). The laboratory opossum has several characteristics making this species more useful in certain studies than the commonly used small eutherians, e.g. mice or rats. It is a non-seasonal breeder, with ovulation provoked by the presence of male (Macrini 2004). Numerous litters (4– 14 pups) are born after very short (14 days) pregnancy, at

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