Microcysts are most evident in the posteroventral and anteroventral cochlear nucleus (PVCN & AVCN) of the gerbil. They are reported as a neurodegenerative disorder or spongioform degeneration or a dynamic process related to the degree of auditory stimulation in the cochlear nucleus of the gerbil. Little information is avalable on the origin and formation of microcysts in the cochlear nucleus of the gerbil. The aim of this study was to investigate the internal morphologic changes of microcysts in the gerbil PVCN during postnatal development by scanning electron microscopy.

The mongolian gerbil, Meriones unguiculatus, were sacrificed by cardiac perfusion of a saline nitrite flush, followed by a 3% glutaraldehyde in 0.1M phosphate buffer. After fixation the brain were washed in 0.1M phosphate buffer ,embedded in 5% agar, vibratome-sliced through the cochlear nucleus, and then postfixed in the 1% osmium tetroxide in 0.1M phosphate buffer for one hour. The sectioned tissues were dehydrated in a graded ethanol series to absolute ethanol and transferred to liquid carbon dioxide for critical point drying.