Affiliations: Neural Transplantation Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Birmingham, Birmingham (U.K.)
Note: [] Correspondence: E.R. Hitchcock, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Birmingham, MCNN, Holly Lane, Smethwick, Warley, West Midlands B67 7JX, U.K.
Abstract: Foetal tissue from cortex, striatum, cerebellum and mesencephalon of human foetuses of gestational age 18 weeks have been examined for cell viability pre- and postpassage through needles of varying dimensions. Fully dispersed cells have less viability than cell clumps, but needle lumenar sizes employed in this study do not appear to have any significant influence on viability as measured by the vital staining method. There is a tendency of narrower needles to adversely affect viability of both dispersed and clumped cells; the vulnerability of component cells, i.e. neurones or glia has not been determined.
