Zona pellucida surface of immature and in vitro matured mouse oocytes: Analysis by scanning electron microscopy

1992 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 365-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Calafell ◽  
C. Nogu�s ◽  
M. Pons� ◽  
J. Santal� ◽  
J. Egozcue
1977 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 323-337
Author(s):  
P.M. Wassarman ◽  
T.E. Ukena ◽  
W.J. Josefowicz ◽  
G.E. Letourneau ◽  
M.J. Karnovsky

Mouse oocytes are induced by cytochalasin B to undergo ‘pseudocleavage’ in vitro into 2 compartments, only one of which possesses microvilli. It has been found that this particular response to cytochalasin B is related to oocyte size and, possibly, to the acquisition of meiotic competence by the oocyte during its growth phase. Certain of the morphological events which characterize pseudocleavage have been determined using transmission and scanning electron microscopy. These events include: (i) an initial withdrawal of microvilli from the surface of the oocyte, together with the concomitant disappearance of microfilaments normally associated with the microvilli; (ii) the subsequent formation of a pseudocleavage furrow and contractile ring; and (iii) the reappearance of microvilli and associated microfilaments in one of the two resulting oocyte compartments. These changes in surface architecture are reflected in the distribution of fluorescein-conjugated lectins bound to the oocyte surface during pseudocleavage.


2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 281-286
Author(s):  
Byung-Hyun Choi ◽  
Ayman Mesalam ◽  
Seok-Hwan Song ◽  
Myeong-don Joo ◽  
Ji-Yoon Hwang ◽  
...  

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Held ◽  
Eva-Maria Mertens ◽  
Abdollah Mohammadi-Sangcheshmeh ◽  
Dessie Salilew-Wondim ◽  
Urban Besenfelder ◽  
...  

In the present study we aimed to analyse structural changes during in vitro maturation of the bovine zona pellucida (ZP) by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) ands zona pellucida birefringence (ZPB). Here we show that alterations during in vitro maturation invasively analysed by SEM are reflected in ZPB. In vivo-matured oocytes displayed significantly lower birefringence parameters and significantly higher blastocyst rates compared with in vitro-derived oocytes (39.1% vs 21.6%). The same was observed for in vitro-matured oocytes with cumulus–oocyte complex (COC) Quality 1 (Q1) compared with Q3-COCs with respect to zona birefringence and developmental capacity. Immature oocytes with Q1-COCs displayed higher ZPB values and a higher developmental capacity to the blastocyst stage (27.7% vs 16.9%) compared with immature Q3-COCs. Considering in vitro-matured oocytes, only those with Q1-COC showed a trend for ZPB similar to in vivo-matured oocytes. Therefore, a decreasing trend for ZPB during in vitro maturation seems to be typical for high-quality oocytes and successful cytoplasmic maturation. In accordance, fully-grown immature oocytes reached significantly higher blastocyst rates (32.0% vs 11.5%) and lower ZPB values compared with still-growing ones. In conclusion, we successfully evaluated the applicability of zona imaging to bovine oocytes: alterations during in vitro maturation invasively analysed by scanning electron microscopy were reflected in the birefringence of the zona pellucida of bovine oocytes affecting developmental capacity at the same value. Therefore ZPB measurement by live zona imaging has potential to become a new tool to assess correctness of in vitro maturation and to predict developmental competence.


Author(s):  
William J. Lamoreaux ◽  
David L. Smalley ◽  
Larry M. Baddour ◽  
Alfred P. Kraus

Infections associated with the use of intravascular devices have been documented and have been reported to be related to duration of catheter usage. Recently, Eaton et al. reported that Staphylococcus epidermidis may attach to silastic catheters used in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) treatment. The following study presents findings using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of S. epidermidis adherence to silastic catheters in an in vitro model. In addition, sections of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) dialysis bags were also evaluated by SEM.The S. epidermidis strain RP62A which had been obtained in a previous outbreak of coagulase-negative staphylococcal sepsis at local hospitals was used in these experiments. The strain produced surface slime on exposure to glucose, whereas a nonadherent variant RP62A-NA, which was also used in these studies, failed to produce slime. Strains were grown overnight on blood agar plates at 37°C, harvested from the surface and resuspended in sterile saline (0.85%), centrifuged (3,000 rpm for 10 minutes) and then washed twice in 0.1 M phosphate-buffered saline at pH 7.0. Organisms were resuspended at a concentration of ca. 106 CFU/ml in: a) sterile unused dianeal at 4.25% dextrose, b) sterile unused dianeal at 1.5% dextrose, c) sterile used dialysate previously containing 4.25% dextrose taken from a CAPD patient, and d) sterile used dialysate previously containing 1.5% dextrose taken from a CAPD patient.


1984 ◽  
Vol 52 (02) ◽  
pp. 102-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
L J Nicholson ◽  
J M F Clarke ◽  
R M Pittilo ◽  
S J Machin ◽  
N Woolf

SummaryA technique for harvesting mesothelial cells is described. This entails collagenase digestion of omentum after which the cells can be cultured. The technique has been developed using the rat, but has also been successfully applied to human tissue. Cultured rat mesothelial cells obtained in this way have been examined by scanning electron microscopy. Rat mesothelial cells grown on plastic film have been exposed to blood in an in vitro system using a Baumgartner chamber and have been demonstrated to support blood flow. No adhering platelets were observed on the mesothelial cell surface. Fibroblasts similarily exposed to blood as a control were washed off the plastic.


2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (6) ◽  
pp. 1188-1192
Author(s):  
Daniela Avram ◽  
Nicolae Angelescu ◽  
Dan Nicolae Ungureanu ◽  
Ionica Ionita ◽  
Iulian Bancuta ◽  
...  

The study in vitro of the glass powders bioactivity was performed by soaking them in simulated body fluid for 3 to 21 days at a temperature of 37�C and pH = 7.20. The synthesis de novo of hydroxyapatite, post soaking was confirmed by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The study of the antimicrobial activity was performed by microbiological examination on two strains of pathogenic bacteria involved in postoperative nosocomial infections.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 5730
Author(s):  
Jomarien García-Couce ◽  
Marioly Vernhes ◽  
Nancy Bada ◽  
Lissette Agüero ◽  
Oscar Valdés ◽  
...  

Hydrogels obtained from combining different polymers are an interesting strategy for developing controlled release system platforms and tissue engineering scaffolds. In this study, the applicability of sodium alginate-g-(QCL-co-HEMA) hydrogels for these biomedical applications was evaluated. Hydrogels were synthesized by free-radical polymerization using a different concentration of the components. The hydrogels were characterized by Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and a swelling degree. Betamethasone release as well as the in vitro cytocompatibility with chondrocytes and fibroblast cells were also evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the porous surface morphology of the hydrogels in all cases. The swelling percent was determined at a different pH and was observed to be pH-sensitive. The controlled release behavior of betamethasone from the matrices was investigated in PBS media (pH = 7.4) and the drug was released in a controlled manner for up to 8 h. Human chondrocytes and fibroblasts were cultured on the hydrogels. The MTS assay showed that almost all hydrogels are cytocompatibles and an increase of proliferation in both cell types after one week of incubation was observed by the Live/Dead® assay. These results demonstrate that these hydrogels are attractive materials for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications due to their characteristics, their release kinetics, and biocompatibility.


1987 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-52
Author(s):  
C. A. Chamorro ◽  
P. de Paz ◽  
J. G. Fernandez ◽  
M. Fernandez ◽  
J. M. Villar

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