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Three-dimensional anatomy of the conduction system of the early embryonic rabbit heart
Article first published online: 14 NOV 2005
DOI: 10.1002/ar.a.20244
Copyright © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Issue
The Anatomical Record Part A: Discoveries in Molecular, Cellular, and Evolutionary Biology
Volume 288A, Issue 1, pages 3–7, January 2006
Additional Information
How to Cite
Rothenberg, F. and Efimov, I. R. (2006), Three-dimensional anatomy of the conduction system of the early embryonic rabbit heart. Anat. Rec., 288A: 3–7. doi: 10.1002/ar.a.20244
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Publication History
- Issue published online: 21 DEC 2005
- Article first published online: 14 NOV 2005
- Manuscript Accepted: 28 JUL 2005
- Manuscript Received: 16 FEB 2005
Funded by
- American Heart Association. Grant Number: 0365348B
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Training Grant. Grant Numbers: 5T32-HL-07653, HL-58808
Keywords:
- embryo;
- conduction system;
- rabbit;
- three dimensional reconstruction;
- neurofilament
Abstract
The complete embryonic cardiac conduction system is difficult to view in three dimensions, primarily because there has not been a marker of all segments of the normal system throughout all stages of development. Imaging of the conduction system components within the atria has been particularly controversial because different markers reveal different pathways that may or may not represent conduction system components. The conduction system of the adult and embryonic rabbit, however, can be labeled in its entirety with the neurofilament marker, NF-160. The conduction system of rabbit embryos at several stages of development spanning cardiac septation was therefore investigated. Optical mapping of the electrical signature of the conduction system previously revealed a close correlation between the cardiac activation patterns and the anatomy as shown by serial sections. The 3D relationship between the components of the conduction system could only be inferred from the 2D sections. The sections were consequently reconstructed using a commercial software program (AutoQuant). This is the first demonstration of the three-dimensional complete normal rabbit embryonic cardiac conduction system at several stages of development. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.