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Updated: Jun 16, 2026
Mouse Oocyte Microinjection, Maturation and Ploidy Assessment
Published on: July 23, 2011
Microinjection of plasmids into meiotically incompetent mouse oocytes
1Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. steinpau@sas.upenn.edu
Abstract:
RNA interference (RNAi) is a suitable method for sequence-specific post-transcriptional gene silencing in a number of model systems. The following protocol describes delivery of a mammalian double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) expression vector into meiotically incompetent mouse oocytes by microinjection. During mouse oocyte growth, there is a progressive decline in transcriptional activity, such that the fully-grown oocyte is transcriptionally quiescent. For this reason, the microinjection of plasmids should be performed in growing oocytes, obtained from 12- to 13-d-old females. Microinjected oocytes can be cultured for up to 2 d. The efficiency of knockdown by RNAi can be assayed by quantitative reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR (qPCR).
Insights
This study details a method for gene silencing in mouse oocytes using RNA interference (RNAi). Researchers describe delivering double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) via microinjection into growing oocytes for effective gene knockdown.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- RNA interference (RNAi) enables sequence-specific gene silencing.
- Mouse oocytes become transcriptionally quiescent as they mature.
- Gene silencing protocols are needed for studying gene function in oocytes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a protocol for delivering double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) expression vectors into mouse oocytes.
- To enable sequence-specific post-transcriptional gene silencing in meiotically incompetent mouse oocytes.
- To provide a method for assessing RNAi efficiency in oocytes.
Main Methods:
- Microinjection of mammalian dsRNA expression vectors into growing mouse oocytes (12-13 days old).
- Culture of microinjected oocytes for up to 2 days.
- Assay of RNA interference efficiency using quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (qPCR).
Main Results:
- Successful delivery of dsRNA expression vectors into mouse oocytes.
- Demonstration of RNA interference-mediated gene silencing in oocytes.
- Quantification of gene knockdown efficiency using qPCR.
Conclusions:
- Microinjection of dsRNA expression vectors is an effective method for RNAi in growing mouse oocytes.
- This protocol facilitates the study of gene function during oocyte development.
- The described method allows for efficient and sequence-specific gene silencing in a key developmental model.
