The influence of handling procedures during mouse oocyte and embryo recovery on viability and subsequent development in vitro.

The effect on mouse oocyte and embryo viability of prolonging the time that they spend in the oviduct prior to flushing has been investigated. Oocytes and embryos from oviducts that were flushed quickly and with as little temperature variation as possible were compared with oocytes and embryos flushed from oviducts that had been left for 30 min, either at 37 degrees C in saline or in the intact dead mouse before dissection. It was found that retention of the eggs and embryos in the oviducts leads to a lower viability at recovery and also affects the subsequent developmental potential of embryos in culture.