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Updated: Aug 17, 2026
Ultrasound-Guided Microinjection into the Mouse Forebrain In Utero at E9.5
Published on: November 14, 2010
Failure to infect embryos after virus injection in mouse zygotes
L Tebourbi1, J Testart, I Cerutti
1Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U-355, 32 rue des Carnets, 92140 Clamart, France.
Background:
The intracytoplasmic injection of sperm raises the problem that viral elements may be transported into the oocyte by the spermatozoon or the surrounding medium. It also raises questions about how the developing zygote will behave.
Methods:
We used the murine model to microinject murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) into the zygote ooplasm and followed the changes in these microinjected zygotes in vivo and in vitro over time.
Results:
80% of zygotes microinjected with viral suspension, and 80% injected with medium alone, survived. Although MCMV DNA was detected in 56% of injected embryos, up until the blastocyst stage, the mice born from these injected zygotes developed normally and did not contain MCMV DNA. When embryonic stem cells were co-incubated with MCMV and then transferred into healthy blastocysts, the offspring were normal and did not contain any MCMV DNA.
Conclusions:
Our observations suggest that even if MCMV DNA persists from the zygote to the blastocyst stage, its presence has no detrimental effect on pre-implantation or post-implantation development.
Insights
Murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) DNA in zygotes did not affect development. Offspring born from MCMV-injected zygotes developed normally and were virus-free, indicating no detrimental effects on development.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Virology
- Developmental biology
Background:
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) may introduce viral elements into oocytes.
- Potential risks of viral transmission during assisted reproductive technologies (ART) require investigation.
- The impact of viral exposure on early embryonic development is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) microinjection into zygotes on embryonic development.
- To assess the potential for viral DNA transmission and its consequences during early development.
- To evaluate the safety of ART procedures in the context of potential viral contamination.
Main Methods:
- Murine model utilized for zygote microinjection experiments.
- Murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) was microinjected into the ooplasm of zygotes.
- In vivo and in vitro development of microinjected zygotes was monitored over time.
Main Results:
- High survival rates (80%) observed in zygotes injected with viral suspension or medium alone.
- MCMV DNA was detected in 56% of injected embryos up to the blastocyst stage.
- Offspring developed normally and were free of MCMV DNA, even when embryonic stem cells were co-incubated with MCMV and transferred to blastocysts.
Conclusions:
- Persistence of MCMV DNA from zygote to blastocyst stage does not adversely affect pre-implantation or post-implantation development.
- Assisted reproductive technologies involving potential viral exposure may be safe for embryonic development.
- Further research is warranted to confirm these findings in other viral contexts and ART procedures.
