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In amnio MRI of mouse embryos
Thomas A Roberts1, Francesca C Norris1, Helen Carnaghan2
1UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, United Kingdom; UCL Centre for Mathematics and Physics in the Life Sciences and Experimental Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
Plos One
|October 21, 2014
Summary
This study introduces in amnio MRI for mouse embryos, preserving the amniotic sac for better visualization. This novel method accurately identifies external abnormalities missed by conventional techniques.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Medical Imaging
- Genetics
Background:
- Conventional mouse embryo imaging excises the embryo from the amniotic sac, missing external structures.
- Existing methods like stereo microscopy and ex vivo MRI struggle to identify certain external embryonic abnormalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate an in amnio Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging technique for mouse embryos.
- To demonstrate the capability of in amnio MRI in visualizing intact embryonic structures and external defects with high resolution.
- To compare the efficacy of in amnio MRI against conventional methods for identifying abdominal wall defects.
Main Methods:
- Developed an in amnio MR imaging methodology retaining the mouse embryo within the intact amniotic sac.
- Utilized high-resolution 3D MRI on a 9.4T scanner for imaging E17.5 mouse embryos.
- Compared in amnio MRI findings with stereo microscopy and conventional ex vivo MRI for normal and abnormal embryos.
Main Results:
- In amnio MRI achieved high spatial resolution (100 µm/px), enabling detailed 3D visualization of embryonic structures.
- Abnormal embryo phenotypes, including exomphalos and suspected gastroschisis, were not identifiable with stereo microscopy or conventional ex vivo MRI.
- In amnio MRI successfully identified exomphalos phenotypes in abnormal embryos with varying severity.
Conclusions:
- In amnio MRI offers a significant advancement for mouse embryo imaging by preserving the natural in utero environment.
- This technique is crucial for investigating the embryo-amnion relationship and detecting external abnormalities.
- In amnio MRI serves as a valuable complementary tool to histology and existing imaging modalities in the phenotyping community.
