Synaptogenesis in mouse cerebellum: A comparativein vivo and tissue culture study

The synaptic development of organotypic cultures of cerebellum derived from new-born mice was examined by light and electron microscopy at 5, 8, 12 and 19 daysin vitro. These explants were then compared with cerebellar tissue from mice killed by perfusion at corresponding ages. The comparison suggests that there is an initial lag in synaptic development most clearly seen at 5 and 8 daysin vitro, followed by an accelerated development resulting in closein vivo andin vitro correspondence by day 19.The findings suggest that synaptic development of cerebellumin vitro followsin vivo development with fidelity despite substantial disruption of cell migration patterns, and further validates the use of organotypic cultures for physiological, biochemical, and pharmacological study.