Immunocytochemistry on Suprachiasmatic Nucleus Slices

Immunocytochemistry (ICC) is a sensitive and powerful method that is used to localize and identify cells containing a particular antigen. This chapter is dedicated to ICC of suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) slices. After a brief introduction to the technique, the materials and methods sections describe two different methods to obtain SCN slices—the first one for fixed tissue, the second one for fresh frozen tissue—followed by the description of two methods of antibody detection: the indirect method and the avidinbiotin complex one. In addition, some remedies to the most common problems encountered while performing ICC and some alternative protocols are discussed.