Quantitative morphological analysis of early mouse embryogenesis in vitro. I. Perfusion culture system, tissue preparation, sampling.
To facilitate a quantitative morphological analysis of early mouse development under controlled conditions, a perfusion culture system capable of supporting embryogenesis to blastocyst stage has been developed. The use of a mesh system allows identification of individual embryos by position, and control of their orientation during culture and preparation for light and electron microscopy. Quantitative evaluation of tissue-processing procedures has permitted selection of conditions which reduce changes in linear dimensions to -1-6 +/- 1-8% in two-cell embryos. Through the definition of a coordinate system based on mesh structure and the development of a special sectioning procedure, sections can be localized within the intact embryo and three-dimensional coordinates given to any element of embryo volume.
D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count; D003470:Culture Media; D004477:Ectogenesis; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008722:Methods; D051379:Mice; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009024:Morphogenesis; D009949:Orientation
D003470:Culture Media