title: Phenotyping transgenic embryos: a rapid 3-D screening method based on episcopic fluorescence image capturing.
abstract: We describe a technique suitable for routine three-dimensional (3-D) analysis of mouse embryos that is based on episcopic fluorescence images captured during serial sectioning of wax-embedded specimens. We have used this procedure to describe the cardiac phenotype and associated blood vessels of trisomic 16 (Ts16) and Cited2-null mutant mice, as well as the expression pattern of an Myf5 enhancer/beta-galactosidase transgene. The consistency of the images and their precise alignment are ideally suited for 3-D analysis using video animations, virtual resectioning or commercial 3-D reconstruction software packages. Episcopic fluorescence image capturing (EFIC) provides a simple and powerful tool for analyzing embryo and organ morphology in normal and transgenic embryos.
authors.affiliation: Integrative Morphology Group, Department of Anatomy, University of Vienna, Waehringerstrasse 13 A-1090 Wien, Austria. Wolfgang.Weninger@univie.ac.at
authors.forename: Wolfgang Johann
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Weninger
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mohun
mesh_terms: D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000235:genetics; D000703:Analog-Digital Conversion; D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000196:embryology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D005318:Fetal Heart / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D005470:Fluorometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D007763:Lac Operon; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008822:Mice, Transgenic / Q000196:embryology*; D008867:Microtomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D009040:Motion Pictures; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D051787:Myogenic Regulatory Factor 5; D010641:Phenotype; D010784:Photomicrography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D012984:Software; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D016610:Tissue Embedding; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics; D014314:Trisomy; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000196:embryology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014885:Waxes; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: C110087:Cited2 protein, mouse; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D009124:Muscle Proteins; C497418:Myf5 protein, mouse; D051787:Myogenic Regulatory Factor 5; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014885:Waxes; D001616:beta-Galactosidase