A method for exploring adult neurogenesis in the songbird brain

Abstract

The avian brain is a valuable model for exploring adult neurogenesis. Here we use immunohistochemical methods to detect cell division and the incorporation of new neurons in the adult zebra finch brain. The nonradioactive, relatively inexpensive thymidine analog bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) is used to label replicating DNA in dividing cells. The brain is harvested, fixed, and dehydrated before being embedded in polyethylene glycol (PEG), which results in superior histology compared to frozen specimens. After the PEG-embedded brain tissue is sectioned and mounted on slides, standard immunohistochemical procedures are used to detect both BrdU and the neuron-specific marker Hu.