Reproducible transversal mouse brain sections using low-cost 3D printable resin matrix

Abstract

Rodent brain matrices that produce coronal or sagittal brain sections for histology confer reproducibility and enable high throughput processing of tissues. However, a stainless steel or acrylic brain matrix that produces tissue sections in a transversal (or horizontal) orientation is currently unavailable as a standard tool. This limits the direct comparison of bilateral brain hemispheres within a single histological section, as freehand trimming to obtain horizontal planes is not easily replicable across samples. To mitigate this challenge, we designed a low-cost (USD 7 per unit), 3D-printed resin-based transverse brain matrix that accommodates mouse brains ranging from 12 to 16 mm in length from the olfactory bulb to the brainstem. Our matrix reproducibly generates horizontal tissue sections with a minimum of 1-mm-thickness without causing visible tissue deformation, which is comparable to the performance of commercial rodent brain matrices. Users may adapt the accompanying CAD code using our video tutorials to customize the transverse brain matrix for their specific needs, including alternative brain size, shape, and tissue thickness.