Lucifer Yellow labeling of embryonic chick retinal amacrine cells in vitro

Lucifer Yellow (LY) selectively labels embryonic chick amacrine cells from days 11 until 14 in vivo. Its usefulness as an in vitro marker was investigated. In vivo labeling and subsequent culturing was not possible due to dye leakage. Neurons, however, could be labeled at various times in vitro. The number of neurons labeled with LY in vitro was consistent with the number of neurons expected to be labeled and increased when selected areas of the retina known to be rich in LY-labeled neurons were used in culturing. Neurons plated at times when labeling was not found in vivo (Embryonic day 8, E8) began to label only at times that were equivalent to times when labeling was found in vivo (E10-E11). This suggests that the selectivity of labeling is preserved in vitro and that LY can be used as an in vitro marker for retinal amacrine cells.