title: Modification and standardization of the culture of early postimplantation embryos for toxicological studies.
abstract: The method of culturing "whole" rat embryos (days 9.5-11.5 of gestation, i.e. at the early stage of organogenesis) as modified and standardized in our laboratory is presented; We have succeeded in using bovine serum as culture medium instead of rat serum as recommended in the original procedure. Experimental conditions are described for obtaining reproducible results; An improved scoring system was developed which, in connection with a computerized documentation, greatly facilitates the evaluation of the data.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003470:Culture Media; D046508:Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000379:methods; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014116:Toxicology
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media