Effect of slow and ultra-rapid freezing on cell surface antigens of 8-cell mouse embryos.
The distribution of four cell surface antigens (SSEA-1, SSEA-3, SSEA-4, and I) present on mouse preimplantation embryos was examined on 8-cell stage embryos immediately after flushing from the reproductive tract and after slow or ultra-rapid freezing. Frozen-thawed and nonfrozen embryos were also examined after culture in vitro for 5, 24, or 48 h. Immediately after thawing, embryos showed a disruption in the polarity of cell surface antigens SSEA-3, SSEA-4, and I, but no differences were detected in fluorescence intensity or various other staining characteristics. No long-term changes in the distribution of cell surface components were detected. Implantation and embryonic development were similar for frozen and nonfrozen embryos transferred to the uterine horns of pseudopregnant recipients.
Wood
M J
MJ
MRC Experimental Embryology and Teratology Unit, St. George's Hospital Medical School, Tooting, London, U.K.
Sjöblom
P
P
Lindenberg
S
S
Kimber
S J
SJ
D000818:Animals; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000276:immunology*; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods; D046508:Culture Techniques; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005328:Fetal Viability; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005615:Freezing; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D013997:Time Factors
D000954:Antigens, Surface