Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) marker for proliferating cells in living tissues: Detection in adult avian brain

Knowing how to perform cell proliferation assays is an undeniably essential skill to detect the effect of external or internal stimuli on cell genesis. Immunohistochemical staining using Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), enables quantification of proliferative fraction of cells in sectioned tissues. BrdU, an artificial nucleoside that substitutes for thymidine. It is currently quite popular research tool of choice for new cell genesis studies. It incorporates into the DNA during S-phase of the cell cycle that’s why used for birth dating and observing cell proliferation. BrdU immunohistochemistry is currently the most used technique for studying adult cell genesis in situ. In this article we provide a step-by step protocol for immunodetection of BrdU by light microscopy using avian species (Ploceus philippinus); starting from BrdU administration to the final analysis.