In Vitro Culture of Mouse Embryo by Matrigel.

Kang, B M; Jeon, Y P; Kim, J Y; Jang, Y W; Chae, H D; Kim, J H; Chang, Y S; Mok, J E; Huh, J R

Original Article

Korean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 1998;41(3):880-885.
Published online January 1, 2001.

In Vitro Culture of Mouse Embryo by Matrigel.

B M Kang, Y P Jeon, J Y Kim, Y W Jang, H D Chae, J H Kim, Y S Chang, J E Mok, J R Huh

Abstract

Since implantation of the blastocyst into the endometrium involves interactions which are difficult to analyse in vivo, we used a reconstituted basal lamina matrix preparation [Matrigel] to examine the in vitro interactions of blastocyst attachment. Matrigel is a solubilized extract of basal lamina material from Engel-Holm-Swarm mouse tumor cells and contains laminin, collagen IV, heparin sulphate proteoglycan, and number of growth factors. Blastocysts were transferred to dishes previously coated with Matrigel. By 48h, all blastocysts had attached to the surface of Matrigel pad. Following adhesion to the Matrigel, the blastocysts maintained their 3-dimensional integrity in contrast to control. The embryos in Matrigel were not flattening and kept polarity and spherical shape during culture. The polar trophoblast invaded the Matrigel downward unlike the horizontal growth in control. This experiment model would be an aid for establishment of blastocyst implantation study.

Key Words: Blastocyst, Matrigel, Mouse, In vitro culture