Perfusion of the cervical spinal cord in situ of adult rats using a perfluorocarbon emulsion.

A method was developed for the perfusion of the cervical spinal cord of adult rats through the supplying arteries. A medium containing perfluorotributylamine as an oxygen carrier was used. The electrophysiological responsiveness was continuously monitored; pO2, pCO2, pH, Na+ and K+ were intermittently measured in the medium. The perfused cord maintained its responsiveness for more than 5 h. No changes in its structure became apparent in electron micrographs.