Development of early mouse and rabbit embryos without zona pellucida.
Criteria for assessing embryo vitality of denuded rabbit and mouse embryos in vitro were: volume of the embryo, number of cells and number of metaphase plates after 24 and 48 h in culture. Mouse embryos grew normally, with and without the zona pellucida, but denuded rabbit embryos showed reduced growth (volume and cell number) and failure to implant in synchronized recipients.
D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count; D046508:Culture Techniques; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D008677:Metaphase; D051379:Mice; D010063:Ovum / Q000502:physiology*; D011817:Rabbits; D014022:Tissue Survival; D015044:Zona Pellucida / Q000502:physiology*