An improved method for whole-mount preparation of rat myenteric plexus and its catecholaminergic innervation

We present an optimal and reproducible protocol by which the whole mount myenteric plexus(MP)preparation of adult rat stomach and intestine can be isolated with integrity.We also investigate whether the rat MP contains intrinsic catecholaminergic neurons.Critical steps of the whole mount preparation were optimized,including tissue clearing,fixation,size,placement and the detailed dissection procedures.Additionally,whole mount fluorescent immunohistochemistry of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH),the rate-limiting enzyme of catecholaminergic biosynthesis was used as aneuronal marker to ascertain the existence of intrinsic catecholaminergic neurons.