title: Preparation of mammalian oocytes for transmission electron microscopy.
abstract: The visualization of subcellular organelles and structures is a valuable tool for understanding cellular changes that occur in oocytes and early embryos as a result of genetic alterations, incubation conditions, drug treatments, and many other manipulations. Preparing oocytes for transmission electron microscopic analysis can be challenging as these cells cannot be visualized without a microscope and they are more susceptible to mechanical disruption during manipulation. Here we describe methods for immobilizing oocytes on either a solid surface or within a matrix and then document our embedding techniques which work well for preserving the ultrastructure of the mouse oocyte.
authors.affiliation: Baker Institute for Animal Health, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Lynne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Anguish
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Coonrod
mesh_terms: D018914:Cells, Immobilized / Q000166:cytology; D004853:Epoxy Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D016591:Histocytological Preparation Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / Q000379:methods*; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D012685:Sepharose / Q000737:chemistry; D013194:Staining and Labeling
chemical_list: D004853:Epoxy Resins; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C005460:uranyl acetate; D012685:Sepharose