Methods in Mammalian Reproduction

Methods in Mammalian Reproduction presents some of the techniques for manipulating, analyzing, observing, testing, and generally experimenting with mammalian mothers and their gametes and embryos. Mammalian reproduction involves an intimate relationship between mother and embryo. The first 18 chapters are arranged in an order that follows a developmental sequence from oocyte to fetal organs and the remaining seven chapters deal with the maternal side of the relationship.
With strong focus on laboratory rodents and lagomorphs, the book starts with an introduction to in vitro oocyte maturation and experimental production of mammalian parthenogenetic. It goes on to describe the microtechniques in pre-implantation of embryos, production of chimeras, techniques for early embryonic tissue separation, mammalian embryo preservation by freezing, and in vitro development of whole mouse embryos beyond the implantation stage. Chapters 11-15 discuss the in vitro implantation of mouse blastocysts, advances in rabbit embryo and in large mammal embryo cultures, embryo transfer in large domestic mammals, and manipulation of marsupial embryos and pouch young. The following chapters cover reproduction experiments using marsupials, domestic farm species, and primates including humans. Finally, the concluding chapters tackle the use of amniocentesis in prenatal diagnosis, collection and analysis of female genital tract secretions, analysis of antifertility action of intrauterine devices, and surgical induction of endometriosis.
This book will be helpful to students, teachers, researchers, and clinical researchers who demand for more and better procedures for analysis of mammalian reproduction.

Contenu

List of Contributors
Preface
1 In Vitro Oocyte Maturation
I. General Introduction
II. Methods Employed in the Culture of Oocytes
III. Special Applications
IV. Summary
References
2 The Experimental Production of Mammalian Parthenogenetic Embryos
I. Introduction
II. Culture Methods Relevant to in Vitro Parthenogenetic Activation
III. Isolation of Eggs from Superovulated and Spontaneously Ovulating Females
IV. Reaction of Eggs to Parthenogenetic Stimulation
V. Effect of Postovulatory Aging of the Oocyte on the Activation Frequency and Types of Parthenogenones Induced
VI. Basic Techniques
VII. Conclusions
References
3 Manipulation of Ploidy in the Mouse
I. Haploidy
II. Triploidy
III. Tetraploidy
References
4 Methods for the High-Resolution Analysis of Protein Synthesis: Applications to Studies of Early Mammalian Development
I. General Introduction
II. Electrophoresis in SDS-Polyacrylamide Gradient Slab Gels
III. Electrophoresis in Two-Dimensional Polyacrylamide Gels
IV. Special Applications
V. Problems of Resolution and Interpretation
VI. Note Added in Proof
References
5 Microtechniques with Preimplantation Embryos
I. General Considerations
II. Basis of Technique
III. Preparation of Embryos for Analysis
IV. Specific Assays of Metabolites in Embryos
References
6 Production of Chimeras by Injecting Cells or Tissue into the Blastocyst
I. Introduction
II. Outline of the Approach
III. Micromanipulation System
IV. Equipment for Making Glass Micro-Instruments
V. Preparation of the Micro-Instruments
VI. Setting Up the Micro-Instruments on the Manipulator Assembly
VII. Blastocyst Injection
References
7 Techniques for Separating Early Embryonic Tissues
I. Introduction
II. The Embryos
III. Tissue Separation
IV. Other Possible Procedures
References
8 Methods for the Preservation of Mammalian Embryos by Freezing
I. Introduction
II. Embryologic Methods
III. Sample Preparation
IV. Freezing and Thawing Procedures
V. Sample Recovery
VI. Conclusions
References
9 Immunologic Inhibition of Development
I. Introduction
II. Antiserum Production and Collection
III. Determination of Antiserum Activity and Specificity
IV. Evaluation of Antibody Activity
V. Summary
References
10 In Vitro Development of Whole Mouse Embryos beyond the Implantation Stage
I. Introduction
II. Collagen
III. Sera
IV. Culture Media
V. Obtaining Blastocysts from Mice
VI. Preparation of Blastocysts
VII. The Water-Jacketed, Automatic CO2 Control Incubators
VIII. Mouse Development in Vitro
IX. Proliferation of Trophoblast
References
11 Implantation of Mouse Blastocysts in Vitro
I. Introduction
II. Preparation and Handling of Blastocysts
III. Preparation of Uterine Monolayers
IV. In Vitro Blastocyst Implantation Studies
V. Prevention of Blastocyst Implantation in Vitro
References
12 Advances in Rabbit Embryo Culture
I. Introduction
II. Preparation of Embryo Donors
III. Embryo Collection
IV. Culture Methods
References
13 Advances in Large Mammal Embryo Culture
I. Introduction
II. Culture of Ovine Embryos
III. Culture of Bovine Embryos
References
14 Embryo Transfer in Large Domestic Mammals
I. Introduction
II. Facilities and Equipment
III. Procedures
IV. Future Directions
References
15 Manipulation of Marsupial Embryos and Pouch Young
I. Introduction
II. Animal Husbandry to Obtain Timed Stages of Gestation
III. Surgery
IV. Manipulation of Early Embryos
V. Collection of Fetal and Uterine Fluids and Tissues
VI. Postnatal Development
VII. Conclusions
References
16 Experimentation Involving Primate Embryos
I. Introduction
II. Recovery of Ova and Embryos from the Female Reproductive Tract
III. Gamete Recovery, in Vitro Fertilization, Embryo Culture, and Embryo Transfer
IV. In Vitro Testing of Potentially Teratogenic Agents
V. Conclusions
References
17 Transplanting and Explanting Organ Primordia
I. Transplanting Embryonic Tissues and Organs
II. The Separation and Recombination of Embryonic Tissues
III. A Few Comments on the in Vitro Culture of Organ Primordia
References
18 The Regeneration of Mammalian Limbs and Limb Tissues
I. Introduction
II. Extremities
III. Skeletal Muscle
IV. Bone
V. Peripheral Nerve
VI. Concluding Remarks
References
19 Pheromones, Estrus, Ovulation, and Mating
I. Introduction
II. Patterns of Reproduction in Laboratory Mammals
III. The Role of Pheromones
IV. The Exploitation of Pheromonal Effects
V. Mating and Ovulation Soon after Pairing
VI. Other Useful Techniques
VII. Male Performance
VIII. Summary
References
20 Experimentally Delayed Implantation
I. Introduction
II. Implantation Delay as an Experimental Model
III. Achievement and Maintenance of Implantation Delay
IV. Reversal of Implantation Delay and Induction of Blastocyst Activation
V. Implantation Delay in Vitro
References
21 Laparoscopic Research Techniques in Mammalian Embryology
I. Historical Aspects of Laparoscopy
II. General Comments
III. Laboratory Rodents, Rabbits, Birds, and Exotic Animals
IV. Dogs and Cats
V. Nonhuman Primates
VI. Domestic Animals
VII. Summary
References
22 The Use of Amniocentesis in Prenatal Diagnosis
I. Introduction
II. Amniocentesis
III. Ultrasound
IV. Cell Culture Techniques
V. Chromosome Analyses with Banding Techniques
VI. Reported Experience with Human Prenatal Diagnosis
VII. Problems, Ethics, and Future of Prenatal Diagnosis
References
23 Collection and Analysis of Female Genital Tract Secretions
I. Introduction
II. Methods for Collection of Female Genital Tract Secretions
III. Methods for Analysis of Female Genital Tract Secretions
…