M.M. and C.A.R. acknowledge the financial support of the Ministero della Salute, Ricerca Finalizzata/giovani ricercatori anno 2009 of the Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale San Matteo, Pavia (I). M.M and C.A.R. wish to thank Marianna Longo for helping with the images preparation.

This protocol is conducted in accordance with the guiding principles of European (EU 63/2010) and Italian (26/2014) laws protecting animals used for scientific research. Cervical dislocation euthanasia is used for ovaries isolation and it is performed by expert and trained individuals listed in the approved protocol covering this study.&#160;
1. Animals
<ol>
	<li>Maintain adult 3- to 6-week-old female mice in a room with controlled temperature and humidity (with phases of 12L:12D and fed ad libitum).</li>
	<li>Inject mice intraperitoneally with 2.5 IU of Pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) to stimulate follicular growth by mimicking the effects of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Isolate the ovaries for antral oocytes collection 48hrs later. Euthanize the female mouse previously injected with PMSG, according to your institutional guidelines.</li>
	<li>Quickly remove the ovaries from the body cavity and place them into the petri dish containing M2 medium for subsequent oocytes isolation (see section 3).
	<ol>
		<li>Make an incision on the skin covering the abdominal wall followed by an incision in the peritoneum by using sterile dissection scissors. Open the incision to expose the abdomen, move the guts on one side using sterile tweezers and localize the uterine tubes, forming a V-shape starting from the bladder.</li>
		<li>Observe the ovaries located below the kidneys. Hold each tube with sterile tweezer and make a small incision at the bottom of the ovaries to release them. Transfer both ovaries at the bottom of a petri dish containing pre-equilibrated medium.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
2. Hormone Preparation
<ol>
	<li>Dilute PMSG (available in different stock concentrations) with sterile isotonic saline solution to obtain a working concentration of 2.5 I.U. hormone per 0.1 ml for an appropriate injection volume. 
	NOTE: Hormone solutions must be aliquoted in 0.5 ml tubes and stored at -20 &#176;C until the day of use. Do not keep diluted aliquots longer than three months at -20 &#176;C. Once thawed, if serial injections are performed, store the aliquots of hormone solutions at +4 &#176;C and use them within 4 days.</li>
</ol>
3. Antral Oocytes Isolation
For proper oocytes isolation:
<ol>
	<li>Equilibrate M2 medium13 (M2) at 5% CO2 and 37 &#176;C for at least 1 hr before starting the oocytes isolation procedure. Prepare two petri dishes (35 mm x 10 mm), one with 1 ml of M2 for ovary puncturing and the second one with small drops (20 &#181;l) of M2 covered with mineral oil (~1.5 ml) for oocytes transfer after isolation from the ovary (see 3.4-3.6). Keep both petri dishes in the incubator at 5% CO2 and 37 &#176;C until ready to be used.</li>
	<li>Use a stereomicroscope during oocytes isolation procedures.</li>
	<li>Prepare thin mouth glass pipettes to collect the oocytes by stretching glass Pasteur pipettes kept horizontally (holding the ends of the pipette with both hands), over a vertical flame coming from the Bunsen burner (Figure 1).
	<ol>
		<li>Once the glass begins to melt, take the pipet out of the flame and perform a quick pulling movement to obtain the desired pipette. Firmly cut the excess glass close to the narrow point of the pipette with fingernails to adjust the length and the diameter of the internal capillary. Ensure that the thin capillary has an internal diameter of ~100 &#181;m, slightly greater than the oocyte&#39;s diameter (~80 &#181;m).</li>
		<li>To mouth pipette, connect one end of the aspirator tube to the pulled pipette by using an appropriate tip and place the other end in the mouth, securing it with the teeth.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Collect the ovaries using sterile tweezers and deposit them at the bottom of a cell culture petri dish (35 mm x 10 mm). Cover them with 1 ml of M2 previously equilibrated at 37 &#176;C and 5% CO2 (Figure 2).</li>
	<li>Gently puncture the antral follicles of the ovaries with a sterile insulin syringe needle to release antral oocytes in M2 (Figure 3).</li>
	<li>Gently mouth pipet the oocytes through a narrow Pasteur pipette to remove follicle cells and any other possible tissue debris (Figure 4A) and then settle them at the bottom of small drops (20 &#181;l) of M2 covered with mineral oil suitable for embryo culture (previously prepared; Figure 4B). 
	NOTE: It is important to remove all the cumulus cells attached to the zona pellucida of the oocytes by continuous pipetting through several and different drops of M2. Perform this step as quick as possible to avoid alterations in the pH of the medium.</li>
</ol>
4. Antral Oocytes Staining with Hoechst33342
NOTE: Antral oocytes can be distinguished in SN (Surrounded Nucleolus), NSN (Not Surrounded Nucleolus) or in any other intermediate form, based on their chromatin organization after staining with supravital concentration of Hoechst33342 (or any other markers specific for bases A-T)14. In fact, the SN oocytes show a Hoechst-positive ring around the nucleolus while the NSN do not, hence its name.
For proper oocytes staining:
<ol>
	<li>Transfer the oocytes using a mouth pipette into drops of Hoechst33342 (20 &#181;l) diluted in M2 at the supravital concentration of 50 ng/&#181;l for 10 min&#160;in dark.</li>
	<li>After the incubation with Hoechst33342, transfer each single oocyte with a mouth pipette at the bottom of small drops (5 &#181;l) of M2 covered with mineral oil, for sorting based on chromatin organization (SN or NSN). Use any fluorescence microscope equipped with Hoechst33342 filter (emission wavelength 486 nm) to visualize the chromatin configuration of the oocytes. 
	NOTE: Depending on the type of fluorescence microscope used, it may become imperative to use glass bottom petri dish for image acquisition. The confocal microscopy Olympus Fluoview Fv10i when equipped with a specimen holder for 35 mm dish requires only glass bottom-dishes for image acquisition, with a 0.17 mm standard thickness and a range from 0.13 to 0.21 mm acceptable.</li>
	<li>Excite the oocytes for no longer than 5-10 sec, likely enough time to visualize the presence or the absence of a ring around the nucleolus (Figure 5).</li>
	<li>After sorting, culture the antral SN and NSN oocytes in M2 at 5% CO2 and 37 &#176;C to induce in vitro maturation or keep them in appropriate buffers for molecular or cellular analyses.</li>
</ol>

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	<li>Parfenov, V., Potchukalina, G., Dudina, L., Kostyuchek, D., Gruzova, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Human+antral+follicles:+oocyte+nucleus+and+the+karyosphere+formation+(electron+microscopic+and+autoradiographic+data).">Human antral follicles: oocyte nucleus and the karyosphere formation (electron microscopic and autoradiographic data).</a> Gamete Res. 22 (2), 219-231 (1989).</li><li>Anderiesz, C., Ferraretti, A. P., Magli, C., Fiorentino, A., Fortini, D., Gianaroli, L., Jones, G. M., Trounson, A. O. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effect+of+recombinant+human+gonadotropins+on+human,+bovine+and+murine+oocyte+meiosis,+fertilization+and+embryonic+development+in+vitro.">Effect of recombinant human gonadotropins on human, bovine and murine oocyte meiosis, fertilization and embryonic development in vitro.</a> Human Reprod. 15 (5), 1140-1148 (2000).</li><li>Mattson, B. A., Albertini, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Oogenesis:+Chromatin+and+microtubule+dynamics+during+meiotic+prophase.">Oogenesis: Chromatin and microtubule dynamics during meiotic prophase.</a> Mol. Reprod. Dev. 25 (4), 374-383 (1990).</li><li>Debey, P., Szollosi, M. S., Szollosi, D., Vautier, D., Girousse, A., Besomber, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Competent+mouse+oocytes+isolated+from+antral+follicles+exhibit+different+chromatin+organization+and+follow+different+maturation+dynamics.">Competent mouse oocytes isolated from antral follicles exhibit different chromatin organization and follow different maturation dynamics.</a> Mol. Reprod. Dev. 36 (1), 59-74 (1993).</li><li>Zuccotti, M., Piccinelli, A., Giorgi Rossi, P., Garagna, S., Redi, C. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Chromatin+organisation+during+mouse+oocyte+growth.">Chromatin organisation during mouse oocyte growth.</a> Mol. Reprod. Dev. 41 (1-2), 479-485 (1995).</li><li>Wu, Y. G., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Selection+of+oocytes+for+in+vitro+maturation+by+brilliant+cresyl+blue+staining:+a+study+using+the+mouse+model.">Selection of oocytes for in vitro maturation by brilliant cresyl blue staining: a study using the mouse model.</a> Cell Res. 17, 722-731 (2007).</li><li>Opiela, Y., K&#261;tska-Ksi&#261;&#380;kiewicz, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+utility+of+Brilliant+Cresyl+Blue+(BCB)+staining+of+mammalian+oocytes+used+for+in+vitro+embryo+production+(IVP).">The utility of Brilliant Cresyl Blue (BCB) staining of mammalian oocytes used for in vitro embryo production (IVP).</a> Reproductive Biol. 13, 177-183 (2013).</li><li>Labrecque, R., Sirard, M. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+study+of+mammalian+oocyte+competence+by+transcriptome+analysis:+progress+and+challenges.">The study of mammalian oocyte competence by transcriptome analysis: progress and challenges.</a> Mol. Human Reprod. 20 (2), 103-116 (2014).</li><li>Monti, M., Zanoni, M., Calligaro, A., Ko, M. S., Mauri, P. L., Redi, C. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Developmental+arrest+and+mouse+antral+Not-Surrouded+Nucleolus+oocyte.">Developmental arrest and mouse antral Not-Surrouded Nucleolus oocyte.</a> Biol. Reprod. 88 (1), 1-7 (2013).</li><li>Yurttas, P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Role+for+PADI6+and+the+cytoplasmic+lattices+in+ribosomal+storage+in+oocytes+and+translational+control+in+the+early+mouse+embryo.">Role for PADI6 and the cytoplasmic lattices in ribosomal storage in oocytes and translational control in the early mouse embryo.</a> Development. 135 (15), 2627-2636 (2008).</li><li>Li, L., Baibakov, B., Dean, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+subcortical+maternal+complex+essential+for+preimplantation+mouse+embryogenesis.">A subcortical maternal complex essential for preimplantation mouse embryogenesis.</a> Dev. Cell. 15 (3), 416-425 (2008).</li><li>Ami, D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=FT-IR+spectra+signatures+of+mouse+antral+oocytes:+molecular+markers+of+oocyte+maturation+and+developmental+competence.">FT-IR spectra signatures of mouse antral oocytes: molecular markers of oocyte maturation and developmental competence.</a> Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 1813 (6), 1220-1222 (2011).</li><li>Fulton, B. P., Whittingam, D. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Activation+of+mammalian+oocytes+by+intercellular+injection+of+calcium.">Activation of mammalian oocytes by intercellular injection of calcium.</a> Nature. 273 (5658), 149-151 (1978).</li><li>Luttmer, S. J., Longo, F. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Examination+of+living+and+fixed+gametes+and+early+embryos+stained+with+supravital+fluorochromes+(Hoechst+33342+and+3,3&#8242;-dihexyloxacarbocyanine+iodide).">Examination of living and fixed gametes and early embryos stained with supravital fluorochromes (Hoechst 33342 and 3,3&#8242;-dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide).</a> Gamete Res. 15 (3), 267-283 (1986).</li><li>Monti, M., Redi, C. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+biopolitics+of+frozen+embryos.">The biopolitics of frozen embryos.</a> Int. J. Dev. Biol. 55, 243-247 (2011).</li></ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose

This protocol describes the method used to isolate and classify mouse antral GV oocytes. There are no particular critical steps to underline, with few exceptions. First: this procedure should be performed as quickly as possible to: a) maintain the vitality of the oocytes and b) avoid pH changes in the medium used. Second: oocytes should be briefly excited (5-10 sec) to Hoechst33342 to avoid chromatin damage and the subsequent death of the oocytes, especially if IVM and IVF are the following steps. To date, this is the qu...

Antral fully grown oocytes (GV, germinal vesicle) isolated from the antral compartment of the ovary are routinely used for different purposes such as, for example, the study of the molecular and cellular mechanisms behind in vitro maturation till Metaphase II stage.
Despite their beautiful appearance most antral oocytes, but not all, are able to complete meiosis and reach the blastocyst stage; in fact, in many mammalian species, including humans1,2, roughly 30% of them arrest their development at the 2-cell stage, if fertilization occurs3-5. To date, few parameters are used to distinguish between oocytes able to sustain the embryonic development from those unable to do so.
For example, Cresyl blue staining (BCB) is a valid method to sort the oocytes based on the activity of glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase although the utility of this sorting method related to BCB+ or BCB- staining is still laboratory dependent6-8.
Another well-established method resides in their chromatin organization: if stained with any DNA intercalating dyes (like Hoechst33342), 70% of antral oocytes show a dye-positive ring around the nucleolus and are called Surrounded Nucleolus (SN) while the remaining 30% show a more spotted positive signals and are called Not Surrounded Nucleolus (NSN)3-5. Recently we showed that the absence of cytoplasmic lattices9 (CPLs, important storage sites for maternally derived mRNA and ribosomes in both mammalian oocytes and embryos)10 and the down-regulation of MATER (essential for CPLs formation11), together with the presence of lipid droplets in their cytoplasms9,12, can be other causes related to the NSN oocytes inability to proceed beyond the 2-cell stage.
Unfortunately, few techniques can be applied to sort antral SN and NSN oocytes and, for this reason, the development of a less-invasive method (without nuclear staining, fixation procedures or manipulation with mouth pipettes) could become very important to increase the rates of both human and animal embryo development.
In this paper, we detail the simple and quick protocol used to isolate ad sort SN and NSN antral oocytes from female mice and it is addressed to all the scientists interested in the study of female gametogenesis, oocyte maturation and embryo development.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>PMSG</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>G4527</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>EmbrioMax M2</td>
			<td>Millipore</td>
			<td>MR-015-PD</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hoechst33342</td>
			<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td>62249</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mineral Oil</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>M8410</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cell Culture Dish 35mmx10mm</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>430165</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>&#181;-Dish 35mm, high glass bottom</td>
			<td>Ibidi</td>
			<td>81158</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pipette Pasteur Borosilicate</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>7095D-9</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Aspirator tube assemblies for calibrated micropillary pipettes</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>A5177</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

isolation and characterization of mouse antral oocytes based on nucleolar chromatin organization

This protocol describes a simple and quick method to isolate and characterize mouse antral GV (Germinal Vesicle) oocytes as able (SN, Surrounded Nucleolus) or unable (NSN, Not Surrounded Nucleolus) to develop to the blastocyst stage after in vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro fertilization (IVF). It makes use of Hoeschst33342 (or any other DNA intercalating dye) able to bind to the heterochromatin of the nucleolus showing a ring in the SN oocytes or not, like in the NSN oocytes. This represents the easiest and quickest way to sort both antral oocytes that can be eventually used for IVM or IVF procedures. 
Briefly, the protocol consists of the following steps: hormone injection to stimulate follicular growth; isolation of the oocytes at the GV stage from the antral compartment by puncturing the ovary with a sterile needle; preparation of thin glass pipettes for mouth pipetting of the oocytes; sorting of the oocytes with Hoechst33342 prepared at a supravital concentration; IVM, IVF or any other molecular/cellular analysis.
Unfortunately there are still few evidences to sort SN and NSN oocytes using less invasive techniques. If and once they will be identified, they could be potentially applied to human assisted reproductive technologies, although with several aspects that should be modified. To date, this technique has potential implications to dramatically increase IVM and IVF successful procedures in both endangered and species with economic interest.

The following pictures show the method used to isolate antral oocytes from mouse ovaries, starting from pipettes preparation to the oocytes&#39; sorting by means of Hoechst33342. This method is quite simple and can be performed in any laboratory equipped with a CO2 incubator, a stereomicroscope and a fluorescence microscope equipped with the correct filter for the observation of the Hoechst33342. Figure 1 shows the initial step of pipette preparation: as the gl...

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Isolation and Characterization of Mouse Antral Oocytes Based on Nucleolar Chromatin Organization

Here we present a protocol for the characterization of mouse antral oocytes based on nucleolar organization.

This protocol describes a simple and quick method to isolate and characterize mouse antral GV (Germinal Vesicle) oocytes as able (SN, Surrounded ...

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13.2K Views.  Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo. Here we present a protocol for the characterization of mouse antral oocytes based on nucleolar organization.

Video: Isolation and Characterization of Mouse Antral Oocytes Based on Nucleolar Chromatin Organization

Isolation and Quantitative Immunocytochemical Characterization of Primary Myogenic Cells and Fibroblasts from Human Skeletal Muscle

The repair and regeneration of skeletal muscle requires the action of satellite cells, which are the resident muscle stem cells. These can be isolated from human muscle biopsy samples using enzymatic digestion and their myogenic properties studied in culture. Quantitatively, the two main adherent cell types obtained from enzymatic digestion are: (i) the satellite cells (termed myogenic cells or muscle precursor cells), identified initially as CD56+ and later as CD56+/desmin+ cells and (ii) muscle-derived fibroblasts, identified as CD56&#8211; and TE-7+. Fibroblasts proliferate very efficiently in culture and in mixed cell populations these cells may overrun myogenic cells to dominate the culture. The isolation and purification of different cell types from human muscle is thus an important methodological consideration when trying to investigate the innate behavior of either cell type in culture. Here we describe a system of sorting based on the gentle enzymatic digestion of cells using collagenase and dispase followed by magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) which gives both a high purity (&#62;95% myogenic cells) and good yield (~2.8 x 106 &#177; 8.87 x 105 cells/g tissue after 7 days in vitro) for experiments in culture. This approach is based on incubating the mixed muscle-derived cell population with magnetic microbeads beads conjugated to an antibody against CD56 and then passing cells though a magnetic field. CD56+ cells bound to microbeads are retained by the field whereas CD56&#8211; cells pass unimpeded through the column. Cell suspensions from any stage of the sorting process can be plated and cultured. Following a given intervention, cell morphology, and the expression and localization of proteins including nuclear transcription factors can be quantified using immunofluorescent labeling with specific antibodies and an image processing and analysis package.

The main adherent cell types derived from human muscle are myogenic cells and fibroblasts. Here, cell populations are enriched using magnetic-activated cell sorting based on the CD56 antigen. Subsequent immunolabelling with specific antibodies and use of image analysis techniques allows quantification of cytoplasmic and nuclear characteristics in individual cells.

The repair and regeneration of skeletal muscle requires the action of satellite cells, which are the resident muscle stem cells. These can be isolated ...

Isolation and Characterization of Satellite Cells from Rat Head Branchiomeric Muscles

Fibrosis and defective muscle regeneration can hamper the functional recovery of the soft palate muscles after cleft palate repair. This causes persistent problems in speech, swallowing, and sucking. In vitro culture systems that allow the study of satellite cells (myogenic stem cells) from head muscles are crucial to develop new therapies based on tissue engineering to promote muscle regeneration after surgery. These systems will offer new perspectives for the treatment of cleft palate patients. A protocol for the isolation, culture and differentiation of satellite cells from head muscles is presented. The isolation is based on enzymatic digestion and trituration to release the satellite cells. In addition, this protocol comprises an innovative method using extracellular matrix gel coatings of millimeter size, which requires only low numbers of satellite cells for differentiation assays.

This protocol describes the isolation of satellite cells from branchiomeric head muscles of a 9 week-old rat. The muscles originate from different branchial arches. Subsequently, the satellite cells are cultured on a spot coating of millimeter size to study their differentiation. This approach avoids the expansion and passaging of satellite cells.

Fibrosis and defective muscle regeneration can hamper the functional recovery of the soft palate muscles after cleft palate repair. This causes persistent ...

Isolation and Characterization of Single Cells from Zebrafish Embryos

The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a powerful model organism to study vertebrate development. Though many aspects of zebrafish embryonic development have been described at the morphological level, little is known about the molecular basis of cellular changes that occur as the organism develops. With recent advancements in microfluidics and multiplexing technologies, it is now possible to characterize gene expression in single cells. This allows for investigation of heterogeneity between individual cells of specific cell populations to identify and classify cell subtypes, characterize intermediate states that occur during cell differentiation, and explore differential cellular responses to stimuli. This study describes a protocol to isolate viable, single cells from zebrafish embryos for high throughput multiplexing assays. This method may be rapidly applied to any zebrafish embryonic cell type with fluorescent markers. An extension of this method may also be used in combination with high throughput sequencing technologies to fully characterize the transcriptome of single cells. As proof of principle, the relative abundance of cardiac differentiation markers was assessed in isolated, single cells derived from nkx2.5 positive cardiac progenitors. By evaluation of gene expression at the single cell level and at a single time point, the data support a model in which cardiac progenitors coexist with differentiating progeny. The method and work flow described here is broadly applicable to the zebrafish research community, requiring only a labeled transgenic fish line and access to microfluidics technologies.

This protocol describes a method for isolating single cells from zebrafish embryos, enriching for cells of interest, capturing zebrafish cells in microfluidic based single cell multiplex systems, and assessing gene expression from single cells.

The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a powerful model organism to study vertebrate development. Though many aspects of zebrafish embryonic development have been ...

Isolation and Characterization of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells from Human Umbilical Cord and Fetal Placenta

The human umbilical cord (UC) and placenta are non-invasive, primitive and abundant sources of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) that have increasingly gained attention because they do not pose any ethical or moral concerns. Current methods to isolate MSCs from UC yield low amounts of cells with variable proliferation potentials. Since UC is an anatomically-complex organ, differences in MSC properties may be due to the differences in the anatomical regions of their isolation. In this study, we first dissected the cord/placenta samples into three discrete anatomical regions: UC, cord-placenta junction (CPJ), and fetal placenta (FP). Second, two distinct zones, cord lining (CL) and Wharton&#39;s jelly (WJ), were separated. The explant culture technique was then used to isolate cells from the four sources. The time required for the primary culture of cells from the explants varied depending on the source of the tissue. Outgrowth of the cells occurred within 3 - 4 days of the CPJ explants, whereas growth was observed after 7 - 10 days and 11 - 14 days from CL/WJ and FP explants, respectively. The isolated cells were adherent to plastic and displayed fibroblastoid morphology and surface markers, such as CD29, CD44, CD73, CD90, and CD105, similarly to bone marrow (BM)-derived MSCs. However, the colony-forming efficiency of the cells varied, with CPJ-MSCs and WJ-MSCs showing higher efficiency than BM-MSCs. MSCs from all four sources differentiated into adipogenic, chondrogenic, and osteogenic lineages, indicating that they were multipotent. CPJ-MSCs differentiated more efficiently in comparison to other MSC sources. These results suggest that the CPJ is the most potent anatomical region and yields a higher number of cells, with greater proliferation and self-renewal capacities in vitro. In conclusion, the comparative analysis of the MSCs from the four sources indicated that CPJ is a more promising source of MSCs for cell therapy, regenerative medicine, and tissue engineering.

Here, we present a protocol for the dissection of human umbilical cord (UC) and fetal placenta sample into cord lining (CL), Wharton&#39;s jelly (WJ), cord-placenta junction (CPJ), and fetal placenta (FP) for the isolation and characterization of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) using the explant culture technique.

The human umbilical cord (UC) and placenta are non-invasive, primitive and abundant sources of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) that have increasingly ...

A Novel Use of Three-dimensional High-frequency Ultrasonography for Early Pregnancy Characterization in the Mouse

High-frequency ultrasonography (HFUS) is a common method to non-invasively monitor the real-time development of the human fetus in utero. The mouse is routinely used as an in vivo model to study embryo implantation and pregnancy progression. Unfortunately, such murine studies require pregnancy interruption to enable follow-up phenotypic analysis. To address this issue, we used three-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction of HFUS imaging data for early detection and characterization of murine embryo implantation sites and their individual developmental progression in utero. Combining HFUS imaging with 3-D reconstruction and modeling, we were able to accurately quantify embryo implantation site number as well as monitor developmental progression in pregnant C57BL6J/129S mice from 5.5 days post coitus (d.p.c.) through to 9.5 d.p.c. with the use of a transducer. Measurements included: number, location, and volume of implantation sites as well as inter-implantation site spacing; embryo viability was assessed by cardiac activity monitoring. In the immediate post-implantation period (5.5 to 8.5 d.p.c.), 3-D reconstruction of the gravid uterus in both mesh and solid overlay format enabled visual representation of the developing pregnancies within each uterine horn. As genetically engineered mice continue to be used to characterize female reproductive phenotypes derived from uterine dysfunction, this method offers a new approach to detect, quantify, and characterize early implantation events in vivo. This novel use of 3-D HFUS imaging demonstrates the ability to successfully detect, visualize, and characterize embryo-implantation sites during early murine pregnancy in a non-invasive manner. The technology offers a significant improvement over current methods, which rely on the interruption of pregnancies for gross tissue and histopathologic characterization. Here we use a video and text format to describe how to successfully perform ultrasounds of early murine pregnancy to generate reliable and reproducible data with reconstruction of the uterine form in mesh and solid 3-D images.

Mice are widely used to study gestational biology. However, pregnancy termination is required for such studies which precludes longitudinal investigations and necessitates the use of large numbers of animals. Therefore, we describe a non-invasive technique of high-frequency ultrasonography for early detection and monitoring of post-implantation events in the pregnant mouse.

High-frequency ultrasonography (HFUS) is a common method to non-invasively monitor the real-time development of the human fetus in utero. The mouse is ...

A Neural Network-Based Identification of Developmentally Competent or Incompetent Mouse Fully-Grown Oocytes

Infertility clinics would benefit from the ability to select developmentally competent vs. incompetent oocytes using non-invasive procedures, thus improving the overall pregnancy outcome. We recently developed a classification method based on microscopic live observations of mouse oocytes during their in vitro maturation from the germinal vesicle (GV) to the metaphase II stage, followed by the analysis of the cytoplasmic movements occurring during this time-lapse period. Here, we present detailed protocols of this procedure. Oocytes are isolated from fully-grown antral follicles and cultured for 15 h inside a microscope equipped for time-lapse analysis at 37 &#176;C and 5% CO2. Pictures are taken at 8 min intervals. The images are analyzed using the Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) method that calculates, for each oocyte, the profile of Cytoplasmic Movement Velocities (CMVs) occurring throughout the culture period. Finally, the CMVs of each single oocyte are fed through a mathematical classification tool (Feed-forward Artificial Neural Network, FANN), which predicts the probability of a gamete to be developmentally competent or incompetent with an accuracy of 91.03%. This protocol, set up for the mouse, could now be tested on oocytes of other species, including humans.

Here, we present a protocol for non-invasive assessment of oocyte developmental competence performed during their in vitro maturation from the germinal vesicle to the metaphase II stage. This method combines time-lapse imaging with particle image velocimetry (PIV) and neural network analyses.

Infertility clinics would benefit from the ability to select developmentally competent vs. incompetent oocytes using non-invasive procedures, thus ...

Isolation and Characterization of Human Umbilical Cord-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Preterm and Term Infants

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have considerable therapeutic potential and attract increasing interest in the biomedical field. MSCs are originally isolated and characterized from bone marrow (BM), then acquired from tissues including adipose tissue, synovium, skin, dental pulp, and fetal appendages such as placenta, umbilical cord blood (UCB), and umbilical cord (UC). MSCs are a heterogeneous cell population with the capacity for (1) adherence to plastic in standard culture conditions, (2) surface marker expression of CD73+/CD90+/CD105+/CD45-/CD34-/CD14-/CD19-/HLA-DR- phenotypes, and (3) trilineage differentiation into adipocytes, osteocytes, and chondrocytes, as currently defined by the International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT). Although BM is the most widely used source of MSCs, the invasive nature of BM aspiration ethically limits its accessibility. Proliferation and differentiation capacity of MSCs obtained from BM generally decline with the age of the donor. In contrast, fetal MSCs obtained from UC have advantages such as vigorous proliferation and differentiation capacity. There is no ethical concern for UC sampling, as it is typically regarded as medical waste. Human UC starts to develop with continuing growth of the amniotic cavity at 4-8 weeks of gestation and keeps growing until reaching 50-60 cm in length, and it can be isolated during the whole newborn delivery period. To gain insight into the pathophysiology of intractable diseases, we have used UC-derived MSCs (UC-MSCs) from infants delivered at various gestational ages. In this protocol, we describe the isolation and characterization of UC-MSCs from fetuses/infants at 19-40 weeks of gestation.

Human umbilical cord (UC) can be obtained during the perinatal period as a result of preterm, term, and postterm delivery. In this protocol, we describe the isolation and characterization of UC-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) from fetuses/infants at 19-40 weeks of gestation.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have considerable therapeutic potential and attract increasing interest in the biomedical field. MSCs are originally ...

Differentiation and Characterization of Neural Progenitors and Neurons from Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells

We describe the step-by-step procedure for culturing and differentiating mouse embryonic stem cells into neuronal lineages, followed by a series of assays to characterize the differentiated cells. The E14 mouse embryonic stem cells were used to form embryoid bodies through the hanging drop method, and then induced to differentiate into neural progenitor cells by retinoic acid, and finally differentiated into neurons. Quantitative&#160;reverse transcription&#160;polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and immunofluorescence experiments revealed that the neural progenitors and neurons exhibit corresponding markers (nestin for neural progenitors and neurofilament for neurons) at day 8 and 12 post-differentiation, respectively. Flow cytometry experiments on an E14 line expressing a Sox1 promoter-driven GFP reporter showed that about 60% of cells at day 8 are GFP positive, indicating the successful differentiation of neural progenitor cells at this stage. Finally, RNA-seq analysis was used to profile the global transcriptomic changes. These methods are useful for analyzing the involvement of specific genes and pathways in regulating the cell identity transition during neuronal differentiation.

We describe the procedure for the in vitro differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells into neuronal cells using the hanging drop method. Furthermore, we perform a comprehensive phenotypic analysis through RT-qPCR, immunofluorescence, RNA-seq, and flow cytometry.

We describe the step-by-step procedure for culturing and differentiating mouse embryonic stem cells into neuronal lineages, followed by a series of assays ...

Minimum Volume Vitrification of Immature Feline Oocytes

In wild animals&#8217; conservation programs, gamete banking is crucial to safeguard genetic resources of valuable individuals and rare species and to promote biodiversity preservation. In felids, most species are threatened with extinction, and domestic breeds are used as a model to increase the efficiency of protocols for germplasm banking. Among oocyte cryopreservation techniques, vitrification is more and more popular in human and veterinary assisted reproduction. Cryotop vitrification, which was at first developed for human oocytes and embryos, has demonstrated to be well-suited for cat oocytes. This method offers several advantages, such as the feasibility in field conditions and the speed of the procedure, which can be helpful when several samples need to be processed. However, the efficiency is strongly dependent on the operator&#8217;s skills, and intra- and inter-laboratory standardization are needed, as well as personnel training. This protocol describes minimum volume vitrification of immature feline oocytes on a commercial support in a step by step field-friendly protocol, from oocyte collection to warming. Following the protocol, preservation of oocyte integrity and viability at warming (as high as 90%) can be expected, although there is still room for improvement in post-warming maturation and embryonic development outcomes.

This manuscript describes a protocol for the minimum volume vitrification of immature cat oocytes with laboratory-made media on commercial supports. It covers every step from oocyte isolation from ex vivo gonads to vitrification and warming.

In wild animals&#8217; conservation programs, gamete banking is crucial to safeguard genetic resources of valuable individuals and rare species and to ...

In Vitro Culture Strategy for Oocytes from Early Antral Follicle in Cattle

The limited reserve of mature, fertilizable oocytes represents a major barrier for the success of assisted reproduction in mammals. Considering that during the reproductive life span only about 1% of the oocytes in an ovary mature and ovulate, several techniques have been developed to increase the exploitation of the ovarian reserve to the growing population of non-ovulatory follicles. Such technologies have allowed interventions of fertility preservation, selection programs in livestock, and conservation of endangered species. However, the vast potential of the ovarian reserve is still largely unexploited. In cows, for instance, some attempts have been made to support in vitro culture of oocytes at specific developmental stages, but efficient and reliable protocols have not yet been developed. Here we describe a culture system that reproduce the physiological conditions of the corresponding follicular stage, defined to develop in vitro growing oocytes collected from bovine early antral follicles to the fully-grown stage, corresponding to the medium antral follicle in vivo. A combination of hormones and a phosphodiesterase 3 inhibitor was used to prevent untimely meiotic resumption and to guide oocyte&#39;s differentiation.

We describe the procedures for isolation of growing oocytes from ovarian follicles at early stages of development, as well as the setup of an in vitro culture system which can support the growth and differentiation up to the fully-grown stage. &#160;

The limited reserve of mature, fertilizable oocytes represents a major barrier for the success of assisted reproduction in mammals. Considering that ...