Related Experiment Videos
Scanning electron microscope (SEM) study of mouse embryos obtained from isolated blastomeres
1Departament de Biologia Cellular i Fisiologia, Institut de Biologia Fonamental Vicent Villar Palasi, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain.
Journal of in Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer : IVF
|October 1, 1991
Summary
Preimplantation diagnosis and embryo sexing techniques, involving blastomere isolation, do not alter the plasma membrane surface characteristics of early-stage mouse embryos. This finding supports the safety of these methods for disease prevention and animal production.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Reproductive Technologies
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Preimplantation diagnosis and embryo sexing are crucial for preventing genetic diseases and advancing animal production.
- These techniques require blastomere isolation, where individual cells from early embryos are separated.
- Isolated blastomeres have the potential to develop into complete embryos.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of blastomere isolation and in vitro culture on the plasma membrane surface of early mouse embryos.
- To compare the surface characteristics of isolated blastomeres and in vitro-developed embryos with control groups.
Main Methods:
- Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the plasma membrane surface.
- Blastomeres were isolated from two-cell stage mouse embryos.
- Embryos were cultured in vitro to the 2/4- and 4/8-cell stages.
- Comparison with control embryos cultured in vitro without manipulation.
Main Results:
- The plasma membrane surface of isolated blastomeres showed no significant changes.
- Embryos developed in vitro to the 2/4- and 4/8-cell stages exhibited normal surface characteristics.
- In vitro manipulation did not negatively impact the plasma membrane's surface structure in early cleavage stages.
Conclusions:
- In vitro manipulation of early mouse embryos for techniques like preimplantation diagnosis does not adversely affect plasma membrane surface morphology.
- The findings support the viability and safety of using isolated blastomeres for assisted reproductive technologies and research.