One of the challenges for slice experimentalists is achieving optimal tissue oxygenation. One area that has not been addressed in submerged slices is the relationship between oxygenation of the artificial cerebrospinal fluid, slice depth and tissue performance. In this study we varied the depth of slice submersion, measured the oxygen profile in the solution and related these to slice activity in the form of spontaneous population events. While the oxygen profile curves were qualitatively similar (peaking approximately 1.7 mm below the solution surface), the average oxygen content was highly variable and correlated strongly with slice depth (R² = 39%, p < 0.0001). The solution oxygen content was positively correlated with the frequency of population events (R² = 21%, p < 0.0001). Optimum oxygenation and tissue performance were achieved with slices submerged at least 1.7 mm below the solution surface. In conclusion, in brain slice experiments it is important to measure and control the depth of slice submersion to maximise tissue oxygenation and reduce output variation between trials.

切片实验人员面临的挑战之一是实现最佳的组织氧合。浸没切片中尚未解决的一个领域是人工脑脊髓液的氧合，切片深度与组织性能之间的关系。在这项研究中，我们改变了切片浸没的深度，测量了溶液中的氧气分布，并将这些与自发种群事件形式的切片活性相关联。尽管氧分布曲线在质量上相似（在溶液表面以下约1.7 mm处），但平均氧含量变化很大，并且与切片深度密切相关（R ²  = 39％，p <0.0001）。溶液中的氧含量与种群事件的频率呈正相关（R ² = 21％，p <0.0001）。浸没在溶液表面以下至少1.7 mm处的切片可实现最佳的充氧和组织性能。总之，在脑切片实验中，重要的是测量和控制切片浸没的深度，以最大程度地增加组织的氧合作用并减少两次试验之间的输出差异。