title: SEM analysis of marine invertebrate gametes.
abstract: Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) enables a close-up investigation of topographical features at the cellular level down to a resolution of about 3 nm. In terms of gametes this allows for examination of minute surface details and changes that occur during fertilization. Sometimes these features are hidden from view and must be carefully exposed during preparation in order to be made visible in the SEM. This chapter describes methods that can reveal surface details of gametes for observation, as well as fix them permanently, while keeping fixation artifacts to a minimum.
authors.affiliation: Biology Department, St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Buckland-Nicks
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016477:Artifacts; D002469:Cell Separation; D003890:Desiccation; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007448:Invertebrates / Q000166:cytology*; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010063:Ovum / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D016707:Tissue Fixation