Cleavage of pig embryos after labeling with fluorescent dyes

V. G. Pursel, R. J. Wall, Robert E Hammer, R. L. Brinster

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

In studies on embryonic development, treated and control ova could be co-mixed before transfer to recipients if nontoxic labels for ova were available. These experiments were conducted to determine whether pig ova would continue to cleave after being stained with the fluorochromes tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate (TRITC) and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC). In the first experiment, pig ova stained with TRITC and unstained control ova were transferred into opposite oviducts of recipient gilts. In the second experiment, ova stained with TRITC and ova stained with FITC were transferred into opposite oviducts of recipient gilts. Embryos were recovered 96 h after transfer (Day 6; Day 0 = onset of estrus), the presence of fluorescence was determined, and the number of nuclei per embryo was assessed. Stained ova retained sufficient fluorochrome to permit detection until the zonae pellucidae were shed. Development of embryos stained with TRITC was equal to that of unstained control embryos. However, development of embryos stained with FITC appeared slightly retarded in comparison to that of TRITC-stained embryos. These findings demonstrate the efficacy of the fluorescent staining technique for pig ova during the first six days of pregnancy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)693-700
Number of pages8
JournalTheriogenology
Volume24
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1985

Keywords

  • embryos
  • fluorescent dyes
  • ova
  • pig
  • staining

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Small Animals
  • Food Animals
  • Animal Science and Zoology
  • Equine

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