title: The use of an alginic acid matrix to support in vitro development of isolated murine blastomeres.
abstract: The present study reports the use of a cross-linked calcium alginate matrix to replace the zona pellucida in supporting in vitro development of isolated two-cell murine blastomeres. The zona pellucidae were enzymatically removed with a 0.5% pronase solution and blastomeres separated with a fine-bore glass pipet. The matrix was created by coating the blastomeres with a 3.5% sodium alginic acid solution, which forms a mechanically stable complex upon transfer to media containing high concentrations of a divalent cation. Blastocyst formation was 55/61 (90.2%) for untreated intact embryos and 61/87 (70.1%) and 27/65 (41.5%) for blastomeres cultured with and without the artificial matrix respectively (P less than 0.001).
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville 37920.
authors.forename: N L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Eaton
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Niemeyer
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Doody
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001757:Blastomeres / Q000502:physiology*; D003470:Culture Media; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D015044:Zona Pellucida / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D003470:Culture Media; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D020723:Glucuronic Acid