Pronuclear Transfer and Maternal Spindle Transfer in the Mouse

Maternal Spindle Transfer (MST) and Pronuclear Transfer (PNT) are micromanipulation techniques that allow the transfer of the nuclear material from one oocyte or zygote to the cytoplasm of another. The application of these techniques has provided novel insights into nuclear-cytoplasmic interactions necessary for development, as well as fundamental discoveries such as genomic imprinting. Now, after extensive pre-clinical research, PNT and MST are starting to be used clinically for Mitochondrial Donation (also known as mitochondrial replacement therapy) and for patients with a history of repeated IVF failure. Here, we describe the methods for PNT and MST currently used in the mouse model. The techniques are readily adaptable for application to other mammalian species, including humans.