Digital Commons Network^™

Characterization Of Cell-Cell Interactions In Normal And Tw32 Homozygous Preimplantation Mouse Embryos, Phyllis M. Johnson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Immediate objectives of the following studies were to characterize and compare normal versus lethal mutant (t^W32/t^W32) cellular interactions during preimplantation mouse development. Principal experimental methods used included embryo culture and microscopy. Control and mutant embryos were analyzed in vitro to identify chronological events and phenotypic characteristics of t^W32 homozygotes. Cell-cell associations of uncompacted and compacted 8-cell control (ICR) embryos were analyzed by quantitative electron microscopy. Lastly, light microscopic analyses were performed on control and mutant (t^W32/t^W32) morulae.