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Published December 2002 | public
Journal Article

Dynamic In Vivo Imaging of Postimplantation Mammalian Embryos Using Whole Embryo Culture

Abstract

Summary: Due to the internal nature of mammalian development, much of the research performed is of a static nature and depends on interpolation between stages of development. This approach cannot explore the dynamic interactions that are essential for normal development. While roller culture overcomes the problem of inaccessibility of the embryo, the constant motion of the medium and embryos makes it impossible to observe and record development. We have developed a static mammalian culture system for imaging development of the mouse embryo. Using this technique, it is possible to sustain normal development for periods of 18–24 h. The success of the culture was evaluated based on the rate of embryo turning, heart rate, somite addition, and several gross morphological features. When this technique is combined with fluorescent markers, it is possible to follow the development of specific tissues or the movement of cells. To highlight some of the strengths of this approach, we present time-lapse movies of embryonic turning, somite addition, closure of the neural tube, and fluorescent imaging of blood circulation in the yolk sac and embryo.

Additional Information

© 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Received 27 June 2002; Accepted 24 August 2002. Article first published online: 7 Nov 2002. The authors thank Carole Lu for help with the initial cultures and Joaquin Gutierrez and Deanna Mohn for technical assistance. Contract grant sponsors: the American Heart Association (to D.C.), the National Institutes of Health (to M.H.B.), the Human Frontiers S P grant (to S.E.F.), the Powell Foundation.

Additional details

Created:
August 21, 2023
Modified:
October 17, 2023