A simple method for processing individual oocytes and embryos for electron microscopy

A simple method for handling individual specimens that must be processed either for scanning or transmission electron microscopy studies is described. For scanning microscope processing, dehydration is carried out with samples enclosed in small cages made from TAAB capsules in which top and bottom are substituted by plankton nets, and for transmission electron microscopy, samples are preembedded in agarose. This procedure significantly reduces mouth pipetting, dissecting microscope observations, is less labour intensive and, most importantly, reduces sample loss.