溶菌酶1在小鼠超数排卵前后孵化及休眠囊胚中差异表达的研究

目的研究溶菌酶1(lysozyme 1,LYZ1)基因在超数排卵前后小鼠孵化囊胚和休眠胚胎中的分布以及表达,探究动物胚胎着床过程中新的调节机制。方法从妊娠5 d ICR小鼠体内获取的正常孵化囊胚和超排囊胚,利用小鼠延迟着床模型于妊娠第8天获取休眠胚胎和超排休眠胚胎。利用免疫荧光和Western Blot方法检测LYZ1蛋白在四组胚胎中的分布和差异表达变化。结果 LYZ1在超数排卵前、后小鼠孵化囊胚和休眠胚胎中均有表达,且主要集中在内细胞团中,滋养层细胞和胞质中少见分布;与未进行超排的小鼠相比,LYZ1蛋白在超排后小鼠胚胎中表达量显著上调,与未营造休眠模型的小鼠相比,LYZ1蛋白在休眠模型小鼠胚胎中的表达量显著上调。结论 LYZ1蛋白在囊胚内细胞团中表达,可能参与调节胚胎内细胞团的发育;LYZ1蛋白在超排-休眠胚胎中的高表达,说明LYZ1蛋白在休眠和超数排卵的双重影响下,会因为抵御不利环境而上调。     

不同剂量孕马血清促性腺激素超排处理对家兔卵巢组织形态和胚胎发育的影响

为了研究不同剂量的孕马血清促性腺激素（PMSG）对家兔（Oryctolagus cuniculus f. domesticus）超排后,卵巢组织形态和PMSG对早期胚胎体外发育的影响。将24只家兔分为对照组、50 IU、70 IU和90 IU组,每组6只,对照组不做处理,后3组分别注射50 IU、70 IU和90 IU PMSG和定量100 IU人绒毛膜促性腺激素（HCG）对家兔进行超排处理。解剖后测定卵巢形态和组织参数。利用注射器抽取5ml冲卵液,分别从左右输卵管冲取胚胎至培养皿中,转至细胞培养室对胚胎进行体外培养观察。结果显示,PMSG处理组与对照组相比,随着PMSG注射剂量的增大,家兔卵巢重及宽度和厚度均极显著增大（P<0.01）,卵巢长度显著增长（P<0.05）,卵巢表面充血,卵泡数增多;另外,随PMSG注射剂量的增大,次级卵泡及其卵母细胞直径、三级卵泡直径均呈减小趋势（P <0.01）,三级卵泡中卵母细胞直径呈增大趋势,与对照组相比差异显著（P <0.05）;三级卵泡的直径和卵泡的优势化率,70 IU组显著高于对照组及50 IU和90 IU组（P &l...     

C57BL/6J小鼠超数排卵的研究

目的　确定C57BL 6J小鼠超排的最佳激素剂量和最合适的注射间隔时间 ,提高超排率。方法　 40只C57BL 6J雌鼠随机分为四组 ,分别用 5IU或 10IU的PMSG和HCG ,间隔 48h或 72h注射 ,比较排出卵母细胞的数量。结果　 5IU +5IU剂量的PMSG和HCG、间隔 48h注射组超排效果最好 ;8～ 10周龄雌鼠较 6～ 8周龄雌鼠超排效果好。结论　C57BL 6J小鼠超排的最佳激素剂量为 5IUPMSG +5IUHCG ,最合适的注射间隔时间为 48h ,处于繁殖期的雌鼠超排效果好。     

H3K27乙酰化模式在孤雌胚与正常胚中的差异及其对胚胎发育的影响

目的考察小鼠孤雌胚胎H3K27乙酰化模式与体内胚胎的差异,探究表观遗传模式对孤雌胚发育的影响。方法利用SrCl2激活卵母细胞,获得植入前各时期孤雌胚胎,并统计胚胎发育率;小鼠注射孕马血清激素(Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotrophin,PMSG)和人绒毛膜促性腺激素(Human Chorionic Gonadotropin,hCG)超排后合笼,在不同发育时间采用体内冲胚的方法获得体内各时期胚胎;将获得的各期各类胚胎用H3K27乙酰化抗体与特异性位点结合,与连接有FITC荧光基团的二抗共同孵育,利用激光共聚焦显微镜检测荧光强度,获得小鼠植入前各时期孤雌胚和体内胚组蛋白H3K27乙酰化模式。结果用SrCl2激活成熟卵母细胞得到的孤雌胚的激活率和囊胚率分别为96.39%和69.54%,处于正常发育水平;孤雌胚H3K27乙酰化荧光强度从原核期相对较高的水平逐渐降低,2-细胞、4-细胞和8-细胞时期荧光强度都处于较低水平,到桑葚胚时期又突然升高,总体变化趋势和体内组先降低后升高的整体趋势一样,且原核期至8-细胞时期的荧光值孤雌胚高于体内胚,桑囊胚时期则相反;两组的H3K27乙酰化荧光强度值在原核期和桑葚胚时期差异不显著(P>0.05),在2-细胞、4-细胞、8-细胞和囊胚期差异显著(P<0.01)。结论本研究表明小鼠孤雌胚H3K27乙酰化模式与体内胚的模式存在差异,可能是影响孤雌胚发育能力的重要原因之一。进一步的深入研究将对纠正小鼠孤雌胚乙酰化模式和提高孤雌胚发育能力具有重要意义。     

不同激素和注射方式对家猫超排效果的比较

比较了PMSG hCG和FSH hCG两种方案以及PMSG的不同剂量和注射方式对家猫的超排效果的影响。用 1 0 0IU的PMSG超排家猫所得到的排卵点数及平均每只猫获得的卵数显著低于 2 0 0IU处理组或 30 0IU处理组 (P <0 0 5 ) ,但 2 0 0IU处理组与 30 0IU处理组之间的超排效果也无显著差异 (P >0 0 5 ) ;用皮下注射 2 0 0IU的PMSG或用肌肉注射 2 0 0IU的PMSG对超排效果无差异 (P >0 0 5 ) ;用 2 0 0IUPMSG 2 0 0IUhCG和 1 5mgFSH 2 0 0IUhCG两种方案对家猫超排 ,发现不论是每只猫的排卵点数、卵子获得数 ,还是卵子的第一极体排放率都没有显著差异 (P >0 0 5 )。实验说明 ,PMSG的注射方式不影响对家猫的超排效果 ,用 2 0 0IU的PMSG超排家猫是较适合的剂量 ,FSH和PMSG都可用于家猫的超排 ,但PMSG使用更为方便。     

山羊发情后期三种不同超排方法的比较

目的　研究在山羊发情后期三种不同超排方法的超排效果。方法　实验以 2 0只本地山羊为实验材料 ,以氯前列烯醇二次注射法进行同期发情 ,研究了于发情后期 (发情结束后第 2天 )进行 3种不同的超排方法 (对照组 :3 0 0IUFSH 6次减量法 ,F -pvp组 :3 0 0IUFSH溶于 3 0 %PVP一次注射 ,F -pmsg组 :先注射 2 0 0IUFSH ,2 4h后结合 3 3 0IUPMSG一次注射法 )的超排效果。结果　二次注射氯前列烯醇在 60h内同期率为 80 % (16 2 0 ) ,3种超排方法平均获黄体数分别为 9 75± 4 65,11 75± 8 3 4 ,11± 9 13 ;平均获可用胚数分别为 7± 2 94,8± 5 48,7 5± 5 80 ;胚胎回收率分别为 62 16% ,68 0 8% ,61 3 6%。t检验证明实验组 (F pvp组和F pmsg组 )平均获黄体和平均可用胚与对照组差异有显著性 (P <0 0 5) ,而胚胎回收率 (卡方检验 )差异无显著性 (P >0 0 5)。结论　山羊发情周期的发情后期进行超排能取得很好的卵巢反应 ,而且FSH一次注射法 (溶于 3 0 %PVP或 2 4h后结合少量PMSG)与多次减量法的超排效果一致 ,这表明 ,在山羊发情后期使用FSH一次注射的超排方法有可能作为一种简化的体内生产胚胎的方法加以进一步开发和应用     

PMSG和FSH同期发情处理对小鼠子宫、卵巢和输卵管中雌激素α受体分布的影响

目的从雌激素α受体（estrogen receptorα,ERα）的角度探讨孕马血清促性腺激素（pregnant mareserum gonadotropin,PMSG）和促卵泡激素（follicle-stimulating hormone,FSH）处理小鼠的卵巢、输卵管和子宫中,ERα分布是否有显著性差异。方法 10只8周龄母鼠,随机分为处理方式不同的两个组：PMSG组和FSH组,两组均在处理第48小时取其卵巢、输卵管和子宫样固定,采用免疫组织化学法分别观察组织中ERα分布情况。结果免疫组化结果显示,两个处理组小鼠卵巢、输卵管和子宫内膜的细胞中都有ERα表达;PMSG处理组卵巢中的初级卵泡和成熟卵泡上ERα阳性率和平均吸光度均显著高于FSH处理组;FSH处理组的输卵管中ERα阳性率和平均吸光度均高于PMSG处理组;FSH处理组子宫基质和腺上皮细胞中ERα的阳性率显著高于PMSG组,其中PMSG组基质中的平均吸光度显著高于FSH组,而子宫内膜上皮细胞的阳性率和平均吸光度两处理组间差异无显著性。结论 PMSG和FSH同期发情诱导由于其特性可不同程度地影响小鼠卵巢、输卵管和子宫中ERα的分布,使之在不同组织中产生差异性变化。     

不同激素和注射方式对家猫超排效果的比较

比较了PMSG／hCG和FSH／hCG两种方案以及PMSG的不同剂量和注射方式对家猫的超排效果的影响。用100IU的PMSG超排家猫所得到的排卵点数及平均每只猫获得的卵数显著低于200IU处理组或300IU处理组（P＜0．05）,但200IU处理组与300IU处理组之间的超排效果也无显著差异（P＞0．05）;用皮下注射200IU的PMSG或用肌肉注射200IU的PMSG对超排效果无差异（P＞0．05）;用200IU PMSG／200IU hCG和1.5mg FSH/200IU hCG两种方案对家猫超排,发现不论是每只猫的排卵点数、卵子获得数,还是卵子的第一极体排放率都没有显著差异（P＞0．05）。实验说明,PMSG的注射方式不影响对家猫的超排效果,用200IU的PMSG超排家猫是较适合的剂量,FSH和PMSG都可用于家猫的超排,但PMSG使用更为方便。     

小鼠休眠胚胎与正常胚胎冻融后体内外发育潜力的比较

目的检验小鼠休眠胚胎冻融后的质量及体内外发育潜力,为胚胎休眠技术的生产应用提供必要的参考。方法采用常规冷冻方法将正常孵化期胚胎和休眠胚胎进行冷冻,之后分别进行体外复苏培养实验和胚胎移植实验。随后利用双重荧光染色的方法分别对冻融前后的小鼠休眠胚胎与正常孵化期胚胎进行细胞计数,观察两种胚胎冻融前后的质量变化。结果休眠胚胎的冷冻解冻回收率、发育率均极显著高于孵化期胚胎(72.1%vs 50.2%,P<0.01;94.2%vs 73.9%,P<0.01)。休眠胚胎的移植妊娠率显著高于孵化期胚胎(40.8%vs 30.1%,P<0.05)。休眠胚胎的内细胞团细胞数显著高于孵化期胚胎(27.83 vs 19.53,P<0.05),滋养层细胞数差异不显著。冻融培养后休眠胚胎的内细胞团数,滋养层细胞数均显著高于孵化期胚胎(25.18 vs 14.68,P<0.05;114.09 vs 73.88,P<0.05)。结论小鼠休眠胚胎冻融后胚胎质量及体内外发育潜力均优于小鼠正常孵化期胚胎。     

4个品系小鼠胚胎干细胞系的建立

探索高效的不同品系的小鼠胚胎干细胞的建系方法。B6D2F1(C57BL/6×DBA/2)、129/SV×DBA/2、C57BL/6、BALB/C等4个不同品系小鼠,孕马血清促性腺激素(pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin,PMSG) 人绒毛膜促性腺激素(human chorionic gonadotropin,HCG)促排,3.5天交配后(days post coitus,dpc)冲洗子宫取囊胚,或者2.5dpc冲洗输卵管,卵裂球体外培养获取囊胚。囊胚种植到小鼠成纤维细胞饲养层上干细胞培养液培养,4～5天内细胞团扩增后玻璃毛细管挑出,种植到新的饲养层上过夜再行胰蛋白酶消化,3～4天传代一次。对所建立的小鼠ES细胞系进行形态学、染色体核型、AKP染色、体内外分化能力,干细胞分子标记物荧光免疫染色等鉴定。获得10株小鼠胚胎干细胞,具有典型的胚胎干细胞生长特性,符合ES细胞的鉴定标准。结果表明成功的建立了来自B6D2F1(C57BL/6×DBA/2)、129/SV×DBA/2、C57BL/6、BALB/C等4个不同品系小鼠的10株ES细胞系。内细胞团挑出过夜增殖后消化的培养方法可能有助于提高ES细胞的建系率。     

Superovulation in cattle: Effect of goat anti-PMSG serum

Sixteen heifers were superovulated using 5 000 i.u. PMSG on days 9 to 11 of the oestrous cycle (day 1 of the experiment) followed by two injections of 500 mug Estrumate 48 and 54 hours later. Eight of them were injected with goat anti-PMSG serum 5 hours after the first signs of oestrus were observed. Compared with the control group, the treatment with anti-PMSG serum resulted in a shorter heat period (25.8 vs. 51.3 hours), a higher mean number of ovulations (22.1 vs. 18.0) and a lower number of follicles over 10 mm in diameter (4.1 vs. 22.3). The mean numbers of eggs recovered in the experimental and control groups were 17.8 and 6.9, of which 70.2 and 42.0 per cent, respectively, were viable embryos. The concentrations of progesterone and 17-beta oestradiol in the blood plasma showed no significant differences between the experimental and control animals. A higher oestradiol in the control group on day 9 of the experiment was in keeping with the histological picture of the target organs and with a significantly higher number of follicles at slaughter on days 12 to 14 of the experiment.     

Embryo production and endocrine response in ewes superovulated with PMSG, with or without monoclonal anti-PMSG administered at different times

Mature nonlactating Altamurana ewes (n = 168) were synchronized in the seasonal anestrus period with FGA-impregnated intravaginal pessaries for 12 d. In Experiment 1, 48 ewes were divided into a 3 x 4 factorial design for anti-PMSG monoclonal antibody (AP) bioassay test. Concomitant injections of PMSG (1000, 1500, 2000 IU) and AP (0, 1, 2, 3 microl/IU PMSG) were given, and ovarian response was evaluated by laparoscopy. In Experiment 2, 120 ewes were divided into 8 experimental groups (n = 15 per group). The ewes treated with 1000 or 1500 IU PMSG at -24 h from sponge removal were given AP intravenously at 50 h after pessary withdrawal, 12 or 24 h after the onset of estrus, while the controls did not receive AP. Blood samples were collected from ewes (n = 6) treated with 1500 IU PMSG with or without anti-PMSG. Ovarian response and embryo production were evaluated on Day 7 after sponge removal upon laparotomy. It was found that 1 microl AP was effective in neutralizing 1 IU PMSG. No significant differences in serum concentrations of progesterone were observed among the groups of superovulated ewes. Estradiol-17 beta levels were reduced following AP treatment 12 h after the onset of estrus. At a lower dosage of superovulatory treatment (1000 IU PMSG), AP injected at 12 or 24 h after the onset of estrus significantly lowered large follicles (P < 0.01) and increased the rate of ovulation (P < 0.05). Moreover, embryo production showed a more than two-fold increase (P < 0.01) of viable embryos following AP injection at 12 or 24 h after the onset of estrus (3.2 to 3.3 vs 1.3, with vs without anti-PMSG). It is concluded that superovulatory treatment with 1000 IU PMSG plus AP administered at a fixed time after the onset of estrus may improve ovarian response and the yield of viable embryos in ewes.     

Effect of injection time of anti-PMSG antiserum on ovulation rate and quality of embryos in superovulated cows

Eighteen cows were superovulated by injecting 3000 IU of PMSG during the luteal phase, followed 48h later with an injection of Estrumate. They were then placed in a control group or were given anti-PMSG antiserum at either 12h or 24h after the onset of oestrus. Sixteen of these animals were used for the same experiment five months later. The results were pooled because they were not significantly different between the two treatment periods. The timing of the injection of anti-PMSG antiserum, either 12h (11 cows) or 24h (12 cows) after the onset of oestrus, did not significantly affect the ovulation rate, the number of embryos collected or the number of good embryos. The antiserum significantly increased the number of good embryos but did not affect the ovulation rate or embryo recovery. It is concluded that even with a moderate dose of PMSG, the use of anti-PMSG at 12h or 24h after the beginning of oestrus improves the quality of embryos. The mean number of embryos to be transferred (5.5) is in the range of those obtained after the FSH treatments, but the procedure required only three injections compared with nine for the FSH treatment.     

Comparison of the incidence of 5-azacytidine-induced exencephaly between MT/HokIdr and Slc:ICR mice.

The incidence of 5-azacytidine-induced exencephaly was compared between MT/HokIdr strain (MT) and Slc:ICR strain (ICR) mice. MT mice have a genetic predisposition for exencephaly, but ICR mice do not. Pregnant mice were given 5-azacytidine (1 mg/kg to 100 micrograms/kg) injected intraperitoneally on Day 7.5 of gestation (vaginal plug day = Day 0.5), and fetuses were observed for external malformations on Day 18.5 of gestation. One hundred micrograms/kg 5-azacytidine induced exencephaly in MT mice but not in ICR mice, and 1 mg/kg 5-azacytidine resulted in resorptions in MT mice but caused exencephaly in ICR mice. These results indicated that MT mice had 10-fold more sensitivity to 5-azacytidine than ICR mice. It seems likely that less than effective doses of teratogens for animals without genetic predispositions are still effective in inducing malformations in animals with a genetic predisposition for malformations. When 4-somite-stage embryos of both MT and ICR mice were cultured in rat serum supplemented with 5-azacytidine, 0.02 micrograms/ml 5-azacytidine induced the failure of closure of cephalic neural tube in MT embryos but not in ICR embryos, and 0.2 micrograms/ml 5-azacytidine induced severe growth retardation in MT embryos but in ICR embryos it only induced embryos with smaller heads and fewer somites than in control. These results indicated that MT mouse embryos in culture also had a 10-fold-increased sensitivity to 5-azacytidine compared with ICR mouse embryos, suggesting maternal effects play no significant role in their increased sensitivity to 5-azacytidine.     

Superovulation and embryo quality in beef cows using PMSG and a monoclonal anti-PMSG

The long half-life of pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) reduces its application in the superovulation of cattle; thus, a monoclonal antibody to PMSG (anti-PMSG) was administered at the onset of estrus to increase the number of transferable embryos. Angus, Hereford and Angus x Hereford cows (n = 149) 3 to 9 yr old were assigned randomly to one of three dosages of PMSG (1500, 3000 or 6000 IU) with or without an equivalent dosage of anti-PMSG. Embryos were collected nonsurgically on Day 8 (estrus = Day 0), and all cows were ovariectomized on Day 9. The percentage of cows exhibiting estrus and ovulating decreased (P<0.05) with an increasing dosage of PMSG (82, 76 and 44% for 1500, 3000 and 6000 IU, respectively). Ovarian and total corpora lutea (CL) weight increased (P<0.001) linearly as PMSG dosage increased, but were reduced (P<0.001) curvilinearly by anti-PMSG, resulting in a PMSG by anti-PMSG interaction (P<0.001); the interaction was also significant (P<0.05) for ovulation rate (14.0 vs 14.3, 21.5 vs 24.4 and 29.2 vs 6.6 CL for 1500, 3000 and 6000 IU PMSG, without vs with anti-PMSG, respectively). Anti-PMSG increased (P<0.001) the number of small ovarian follicles (1 to 3 mm diameter) and decreased (P<0.001) the number of large follicles (>10 mm) at ovariectomy; the number of large follicles increased (P<0.001) with PMSG dosage. The number of total and transferable embryos recovered did not differ among PMSG and anti-PMSG dosages; however, the percentage of transferable embryos decreased (P<0.01) with increasing PMSG dosage. In general, neither PMSG dosage nor anti-PMSG influenced embryo quality.     

Cleavage rate of haploid and diploid parthenogenetic mouse embryos during the preimplantation period.

The lack of a paternal genome in parthenogenetic embryos clearly limits their postimplantation development, but apparently not their preimplantation development, since morphologically normal blastocysts can be formed. The cleavage rate of these embryos during the preimplantation period gives a better indication of the influence of their genetic constitution than blastocyst formation. Conflicting results from previous studies prompted us to use a more suitable method of following the development of haploid and diploid parthenogenetic embryos during this period. Two classes of parthenogenetic embryos were analysed following the activation of oocytes in vitro with 7% ethanol: 1) single pronuclear (haploid) embryos and 2) two pronuclear (diploid) embryos. Each group was then transferred separately during the afternoon to the oviducts of recipients on the 1st day of pseudopregnancy. Control (diploid) 1-cell fertilised embryos were isolated in the morning of finding a vaginal plug, and transferred to pseudopregnant recipients at approximately the same time of the day as the parthenogenones. Embryos were isolated at various times after the HCG injection to induce ovulation, from each of the three groups studied. Total cell counts were made of each embryo, and the log mean values were plotted against time. The gradient of the lines indicated that 1) the cell doubling time of the diploid parthenogenones was 12.25 +/- 0.34 h, and was not significantly different from the value obtained for the control group (12.74 +/- 1.17 h), and that 2) the cell doubling time of the haploid parthenogenones (15.25 +/- 0.99 h) was slower than that of the diploid parthenogenones and the control diploid group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Total cholesterol concentration in relation to superovulatory responses in crossbred cows

Blood serum total cholesterol levels of crossbred Taur-indicus donor cows (n=22), in their 1st to 4th parity, were studied as an indicator of embryo yield. These cows were superovulated either with FSH or PMSG + anti-PMSG on the 12th day of the synchronized estrous cycle. The total and transferable number of embryos did not differ significantly between the treatment groups. The number of corpora lutea and total and transferable embryos in donors having total cholesterol levels <140 mg/dl were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those of cows having >140 mg/dl, indicating that low total cholesterol levels might adversely affect superovulatory response. Thus, estimation of total cholesterol concentrations of potential donors can be a useful tool for predicting superovulatory responses.     

Dissection of 6.5 dpc mouse embryos

Analysis of gene expression patterns during early stages of mammalian embryonic development can provide important clues about gene function, cell-cell interaction and signaling mechanisms that guide embryonic patterning. However, dissection of the mouse embryo from the decidua shortly after implantation can be a challenging procedure, and detailed step-by-step documentation of this process is lacking. Here we demonstrate how post-implantation (6.5 dpc) embryos are isolated by first dissecting the uterus of a pregnant mouse (detection of the vaginal plug was designated day 0.5 poist coitum) and subsequently dissecting the embryo from maternal decidua. The dissection of Reichert's membrane is described as well as the removal of the ectoplacental cone.     

Intrabursal transfer of spermatozoa (ITS): a new route for artificial insemination of mice.

Artificial insemination (AI) by direct injection of epididymal spermatozoa into the reproductive tract of females is simpler and more convenient than in vitro fertilization (IVF) and subsequent transfer of fertilized eggs to recipient oviducts for simultaneous acquisition of a large number of pups. Introduction of epididymal spermatozoa into oviducts via the oviductal wall or via vaginal and intrauterine routes is currently the most commonly used method for AI in mice. In this study, we explored another route for AI of the mouse and found that transfer of spermatozoa into a space near the infundibulum between the ovary and ovarian bursa enables in vivo fertilization of ovulated oocytes at the ampulla. When 1 microL of a sperm suspension containing 1 x 10(4) spermatozoa freshly isolated from B6C3F1 males was intrabursally injected into superovulated B6C3F1 females on E (embryonic day) 0.4 (10:00 AM), 5 of 7 females yielded 2-cell embryos with rates of efficiency ranging from 4 to 21% (11% on average), which were much lower than those (91% on average) for embryos obtained by natural mating. All the 2-cell embryos derived from injection of sperm developed in vitro to hatched blastocysts. Similar results were obtained from injection of 1 microL of sperm suspension containing 1 x 10(3) spermatozoa, although in vivo fertilizing ability was slightly improved (28% on average). When 1 microL of sperm suspension containing 1 x 10(4) spermatozoa was injected intrabursally into superovulated females that had been mated with vasectomized males, 6 of 10 mice (60%) yielded 19 normal mid-gestational fetuses with an average litter size of 3.2, which was much lower than that (14.5) for embryos obtained by natural mating. Although the present findings appear to be preliminary, this technique, based on the intrabursal transfer of spermatozoa, will be of practical use for AI in mice, particularly for transgenic and mutant mice that are often difficult to breed.     

A histological study of corpora lutea from superovulated beef heifers

There is great variability between animals in the number of viable embryos produced following different superovulation regimens. It is not clear if all the follicles that ovulate produce healthy oocytes and form normal corpora lutea (CL) following superovulation. The objective of this study was to assess and compare CL from heifers undergoing three superovulatory regimes with CL from unstimulated heifers on the basis of morphology and morphometric analysis of luteal cells.Beef heifers were superovulated using either: (a) 24 mg porcine follicle stimulating hormone (pFSH) given twice daily over a 4 day period in decreasing doses commencing on day 10 of the oestrous cycle; (b) a single injection of 2000 IU pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) given on day 10 of the cycle; (c) as in (b) but followed by 2000 IU anti-PMSG (IgG to neutralise endogenous PMSG) at the time of the first insemination which was 12–18 h after the onset of oestrus (n = 33 per treatment). Luteolysis was induced 48 h after initial gonadotrophin administration and CL were collected on day 7 of the subsequent cycle and from ten unstimulated heifers (controls) at the same stage of the oestrous cycle. CL morphology was studied at light and electron microscopy levels. Morphometric analysis was performed on luteal cells. Subcellular morphology was similar in heifers from all groups. However, CL from superovulated heifers had more connective tissue than CL from control heifers; the connective tissue content of CL in the anti-PMSG-treated group was particularly marked. Both large and small luteal cells in the heifers receiving anti-PMSG had significantly smaller (P < 0.001) area and sphere volume than similar cells from CL of heifers in the other groups.