Objective: To create a cytological model of spiral ganglion neurons in postnatal mammals in vitro.
Methods: The primary culture of spiral ganglion neurons (SGN) was carried out with seven-day postnatal Wistar rats. The process of cellular growth and differentiation of SGN were observed by fluorescent microscope and inverted/phase contrast microscopy. Immunocytochemical identification was performed on the cultured SGN of Wistar rats by methods of S-P and the monoclonal antibody of neurofilament protein (NFP-McAb).
Results: The present work showed that the dissociated SGN of Wistar rat could survive well and had a normal phenotypic differentiation in vitro. The cell amount and surviving period of SGN were able to meet the requirements of cytological experiments. The stable neuronal plasticity of SGN existed in the postnatal mammal under the present experimental conditions.
Conclusion: This method extends the material sources of inner ear tissue culture and provides a useful approach to the neurobiologic studies on the peripheral auditory system in vitro.