The first 4 days of mouse pre-implantation development are characterized by a period of segmentation, including morphogenetic events that are required for the divergence of embryonic and extra-embryonic lineages. These extra-embryonic tissues are essential for the implantation into the maternal uterus and for the development of the foetus. In this review, we first discuss data showing unambiguo...

T H E structure of the mammalian blastocyst has generally been studied on whole mounts in fluid, or on sections of embedded preparations. If the blastocyst of the rabbit is split open and mounted flat, however, the intact cells in their correct topographical relationships may be examined under the high powers of the microscope. This technique, which is quick and simple, may be employed in cytol...

The first differentiative event in mammalian development is segregation of the inner cell mass and trophectoderm (TE) lineages. The epithelial TE cells pump fluid into the spherical blastocyst to form the blastocyst cavity. This activity is fuelled by glucose supplied through facilitative glucose transporters. However, the reported kinetic characteristics of blastocyst glucose transport are inc...

Objective Vitrification has been shown as one of the most effective methods of cryopreservation for mammalian embryos. However, there is no consensus which stage of embryonic development is the most appropriate for vitrification with subsequent maximal development after thawing. This study was carried out to explore and compare the effect(s) of vitrification on mouse 2-cell, 4-cell, 8-cell, mor...

Mammalian embryonic diapause is a phenomenon defined by the temporary arrest in blastocyst growth and metabolic activity within the uterus which synchronously becomes quiescent to blastocyst activation and implantation. This reproductive strategy temporally uncouples conception from parturition until environmental or maternal conditions are favourable for the survival of the mother and newborn....

Background This novel approach describes a rapid and simple method for identification of necrotic vs. viable cells within a mammalian blastocyst. MaterialsAndMethods Hatched bovine blastocysts produced in vitro were first incubated for 30 min in pre-equilibrated culture medium containing propidium iodide (PI; 300μg/ml) and bisbenzimide (Hoechst: H33342; 5μg/ml) fluorescent dyes. Embryos were th...