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A simple enzymatic method for parietal yolk sac removal in early postimplantation mouse embryos
Author(s) -
RiveraPérez Jaime A.,
Diefes Hunter,
Magnuson Terry
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
developmental dynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.634
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1097-0177
pISSN - 1058-8388
DOI - 10.1002/dvdy.21034
Subject(s) - conceptus , biology , yolk sac , primitive streak , embryo , immunostaining , gastrulation , anatomy , embryogenesis , microbiology and biotechnology , in situ hybridization , andrology , messenger rna , immunohistochemistry , fetus , biochemistry , genetics , pregnancy , immunology , gene , medicine
Crucial aspects of axial development in mice occur at early postimplantation stages from the time of implantation to the appearance of the primitive streak. However, this period of development is notoriously refractory to experimental approaches due to the small size of the conceptus and to the presence of the parietal yolk sac, a protective tripartite membrane that surrounds the developing egg cylinder. Here, we describe a method that combines enzymatic digestion and mechanical manipulation to remove the parietal yolk sac of conceptuses at stages between 5.5 and 6.5 days post coitum. This method, which is compatible with whole‐mount in situ hybridization and immunostaining techniques, offers a significant improvement over conventional dissection techniques, and it will greatly facilitate research in early mammalian development. Developmental Dynamics 236:489–493, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.