Successful single-cell biopsy and cryopreservation of preimplantation mouse embryos.
We have previously observed that preimplantation embryo biopsy in the mouse causes a reduction in implantation rate in utero. After minor modifications to the technique, we now find that sampling a single blastomere from the 4-cell mouse embryo does not compromise continued development in vitro or in vivo. When transferred to pseudopregnant foster mice, 60.3% and 64.3% of biopsied and control embryos, respectively, implanted into the uterine wall, and 52.6% and 52.4% of biopsied and control embryos, respectively, developed into fetuses. In a separate series of experiments, we have demonstrated that biopsied mouse embryos can be successfully cryopreserved by ultrarapid freezing even though they have a punctured zona pellucida. Biopsied (frozen-thawed), control (frozen-thawed), and nonfrozen embryos had an implantation rate of 81.1%, 74.3%, and 74.1%, respectively, and a fetal formation rate of 62.2%, 62.9%, and 66.7%, respectively.
Wilton
L J
LJ
Centre for Early Human Development, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
Shaw
J M
JM
Trounson
A O
AO
D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods; D001757:Blastomeres / Q000166:cytology; D046508:Culture Techniques; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005260:Female; D005615:Freezing / Q000379:methods; D051379:Mice; D011247:Pregnancy; D011309:Preservation, Biological / Q000379:methods*