Micromanipulation of mammalian embryos: Principles, progress and future possibilities

Numerous advances in development of techniques for manipulating mammalian embryos outside the maternal environment have been made over the past decade. Some techniques were developed primarily for use in research; others were developed in response to problems of practical livestock production but have proven useful in research as well. Embryo micromanipulation procedures are used often in conjunction with embryo transfer, and interest in these procedures was stimulated by growth of the embryo transfer industry. Included in this review are discussions of procedures for manipulation of gametes and embryos, including sperm injection into oocytes, pronuclear and nuclear transfer, embryo biopsy and splitting, experimental chimera production and isolation of embryonic stem cells.