ABSTRACT
@#Objective To study the differentiation and proliferation ability of the spinal neural stem cells (NSCs) at different gestational ages in fetal rats. Methods Sprague-Dawley fetal rats were divided into group A (12 days of pregnancy), group B (14 days of pregnancy) and group C (16 days of pregnancy). NSCs were separated with enzyme-assisted microdissection. The diameter and numbers of NSCs balls were measured at different time. The cell growth curve was drawn with CCK8 colorimeter. NSCs were identified with BrdU/Nestin immunohistochemical staining. They were induced with 10% fetal bovine serum for 10 days, and the expression of β-tubulinⅢ and glial fibrillary acidic protein was detected with immunocytochemistry. Results There were cells expressed BrdU, Nestin, β-tubulinⅢ and GFAP in all the group. The most cells (22.74±0.79%) expressed β-tubulinⅢ in the group B, but no significant difference between group B and group C. The cell vitality on the 5th day of third-generation neural stem cells was the most in group B. Conclusion For enzyme-assisted microdissection, it may obtain more neurons to isolate the neural stem cells from 14 days of pregnancy pregnant rats.