Neurophysiological and biochemical properties of the goldfish optic tectum maintained in vitro.

The physiology and biochemistry of the in vitro goldfish optic tectum are examined. Following surgical removal of the intact optic tectum by severing its connectives, the tectal explant is maintained in a brain slice chamber in a specified medium for up to 24 hours. Electrophysiological studies show that the in vitro tectum displays the same response properties to optic nerve stimulation as does an in vivo tectum. Concurrent biochemical studies that RNA and protein synthesis is actively maintained for at least 17 hrs in vitro. Thus both biochemical and electrophysiological measurements indicate that the integrity of the tectal explant can be maintained in vitro making it a suitable model system for investigations of a variety of neurobiological questions.