ISSN:
0003-276X
Keywords:
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Cell & Developmental Biology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Phagocytosis of supernumerary spermatozoa contained within the perivitelline space was observed in 7 of 28 two-cell mouse embryos cultured for 45 hours post-insemination (approximately 20-24 hours after cleavage). The spermatozoa were incarcerated as a result of elevations of the blastomere cytoplasm which gradually surrounded the sperm, overlapped and fused, thus forming a typical phagocytic vacuole. Phagocytosis was not observed in two-cell embryos cultured for less than 20-24 hours after cleavage; this indicates that the blastomeres of two-cell mouse embryos in vitro require approximately 24 hours to develop one of the characteristics of somatic cells, i.e., the ability to recognize and phagocytize foreign material.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ar.1091780103
