Skip to main content
Log in

Scanning electron microscope (SEM) study of mouse embryos obtained from isolated blastomeres

  • Special Contributions
  • Published:
Journal of in Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Preimplantation diagnosis and embryo sexing offer great possibilities in the prevention of human diseases and in the field of animal production. These techniques involve blastomere isolation. Isolated blastomeres can grow in culture and develop as whole embryos. In this paper we describe, at the scanning electron microscope level, the characteristics of the plasma membrane surface of isolated blastomeres obtained from mouse embryos at the two-cell stage and of embryos grown to the 2/4- and 4/8- cell stages and compare them to control embryos grown in vitro. According to our results the in vitro manipulation of these embryos does not affect the surface characteristics of the plasma membrane in the early cleavage stages.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Edwards RG, Hollands P: New advances in human embryology: Implications of the preimplantational diagnosis of genetic disease. Hum Reprod 1988;3:545–556

    Google Scholar 

  2. Nijs M, Camus M, Van Steirtehem AC: Evaluation of different biopsy methods of blastomeres from 2-cell mouse embryos. Hum Reprod 1988;3:999–1003

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Gimenez C, Vidal F, Egozcue J: In vitro development of preimplantation mouse embryos derived from isolated blastomeres. Hum Reprod 1990;Abstracts II Joint ESCO-ESHRE Meeting:90

  4. Tarkowski AK: Experiments on development of isolated blastomeres of mouse eggs. Nature 1959;184:1286–1287

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Tarkowski AK: Experimental studies on regulation in the development of isolated blastomeres of mouse eggs. Acta Theriol 1959;3:191–267

    Google Scholar 

  6. Allen WR, Pashen RL: Production of monozygotic (identical) horse twins by embryo micromanipulation. J Reprod Fertil 1984;71:607–613

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Willadsen SM: A method for culture of micromanipulated sheep embryos and its use to produce monozygotic twins. Nature 1979;277:298–300

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Willadsen SM: Micromanipulation of the large domestic species.In Mammalian Egg Transfer, EC Adams (ed). Boca Raton, FL, CRC Press, 1982, pp 185–210

    Google Scholar 

  9. Thomson RS, Zamboni L: Phagocytosis of supernumerary spermatozoa of the mouse by two-cell mouse embryos. Anat Rec 1974;178:3

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Ziomek CA: Cell polarity in the preimplantation mouse embryo.In The Mammalian Preimplantation Embryo (Regulation of Growth and Differentiation in Vitro), BD Bevister (ed). New York, Plenum, 1987, pp 23–41

    Google Scholar 

  11. Reeve WJD, Ziomek CA: Distribution of microvilli on dissociated blastomeres from mouse embryos: Evidence for surface polarization at compaction. J Embryol Exp Morphol 1981;62:339–350

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Thomson RS, Smith DM, Zamboni L: Fertilization of mouse ova “in vitro”: An electron microscopic study. Fertil Steril 1974;25:222–249

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Johnson MH, Ziomek CA: The foundation of two distinct cell lineages within the mouse morules. Cell 1981;24:27–80

    Google Scholar 

  14. Whittingham DG: Culture of mouse ova. J Reprod Fert (Suppl) 1971;14:7–21

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Tsunoda Y, McLaren A: Effect of various procedures on the viability of mouse embryos containing half the normal number of blastomeres. J Reprod Fertil 1983;69:315–322

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Tojo H, Ogita Z, Momose Y: Comparison of the “in vitro” development of mouse single blastomeres with and without the zona pellucida. Experientia 1985;41:108–109

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Handyside AH: Distribution of antibody- and lectin-binding sites on dissociated blastomeres from mouse morulae: Evidence for polarization at compaction. J Embryol Exp Morphol 1980;69:99–116

    Google Scholar 

  18. Ziomek CA, Johnson MH: Cell surface interaction induces polarization of mouse 8-cell blastomeres at compaction. Cell 1980;21:935–942

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Levy BV, Johnson MH, Goodall H, Maro B: The timing of compaction: Control of a major developmental transition in mouse early embryogenesis. J Embryol Exp Morphol 1986;95:213–237

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ponsà, M., Nogués, C., Vidal, F. et al. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) study of mouse embryos obtained from isolated blastomeres. J Assist Reprod Genet 8, 279–285 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01139785

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01139785

Key Words

Navigation