Dataset Information

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

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.

SUBMITTER: Majka P

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5884921 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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

Majka Piotr P Chlodzinska Natalia N Turlejski Krzysztof K Banasik Tomasz T Djavadian Ruzanna L RL Węglarz Władysław P WP Wójcik Daniel K DK

Brain structure & function 20171206 4

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 ...[more]

PMID: 29214509

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Project description:By reconstructing and comparing the sequence of ontogenetic (embryonic development and post-natal growth) events across species, developmental biologists have gained unique insights into the key processes underlying the evolution of modern lineages and their extinct relatives. However, despite the importance of intraspecific variation to evolutionary transformation and lineage divergence, variation in the sequence of developmental events is seldom acknowledged. Thus, how much variation or variability should be expected during ontogeny remains poorly understood and it is an open question to what extent it impacts interspecific comparisons of developmental patterns. To address this crucial question, we studied the skeletal development of the important biomedical and developmental model organism, Monodelphis domestica. We investigated cranial, forelimb, and hindlimb elements using ontogenetic sequence analysis (OSA) to quantify and assess the full range of variation and variability in the sequence of ossification. Our study documented that previously unrecognized variation exists during M. domestica ontogeny-with over 5000 sequences for the full 92 event analysis. Further, OSA revealed unexpectedly high variability (i.e., the propensity to express variation) in the sequence of ossification for the skull and across the entire skeleton. Reconstructed modal sequences were generally in agreement with previously recognized patterns, including earlier ossification of the facial skeleton and a slight offset between forelimb and hindlimb development. However, the full range of variation shows that the majority of specimens in our analysis followed developmental trajectories distinct from those recovered by prior studies. This level of variation is quite remarkable and demonstrates the importance of assessing intraspecific ontogenetic variation. By quantifying sequence polymorphism and studying how developmental variation and variability differ among species, we can clarify more precisely how developmental patterns differ among species and gain insights into how ontogeny itself evolves.

Project description:Marsupials are born with structurally immature lungs when compared to eutherian mammals. The gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica) is born at the late canalicular stage of lung development. Despite the high degree of immaturity, the lung is functioning as respiratory organ, however supported by the skin for gas exchange during the first postnatal days. Consequently, the majority of lung development takes place in ventilated functioning state during the postnatal period. Microcomputed tomography (μCT) was used to three-dimensionally reconstruct the terminal air spaces in order to reveal the timeline of lung morphogenesis. In addition, lung and air space volume as well as surface area were determined to assess the functional relevance of the structural changes in the developing lung. The development of the terminal air spaces was examined in 35 animals from embryonic day 13, during the postnatal period (neonate to 57 days) and in adults. At birth, the lung of Monodelphis domestica consists of few large terminal air spaces, which are poorly subdivided and open directly from short lobar bronchioles. During the first postnatal week the number of smaller terminal air spaces increases and numerous septal ridges indicate a process of subdivision, attaining the saccular stage by 7 postnatal days. The 3D reconstructions of the terminal air spaces demonstrated massive increases in air sac number and architectural complexity during the postnatal period. Between 28 and 35 postnatal days alveolarization started. Respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts and a typical acinus developed. The volume of the air spaces and the surface area for gas exchange increased markedly with alveolarization. The structural transformation from large terminal sacs to the final alveolar lung in the gray short-tailed opossum follows similar patterns as described in other marsupial and placental mammals. The processes involved in sacculation and alveolarization during lung development seem to be highly conservative within mammalian evolution.

Dataset Information

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

Publications

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

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