Fertilizable life of mouse eggs stored at 1 C and 25 C.

Unfertilized mouse eggs were suspended in various media for 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours at 1 C and 25 C before exposure to spermatozoa in vitro. The largest number of eggs undergoing fertilization at both temperatures occurred after storage for 1 and 2 hours with the number decreasing over the remaining 6 hours. More eggs stored at 25 C appeared to be undergoing normal fertilization, especially after storage for 4 hours, when compared with eggs stored at 1 C. Various abnormalities associated with fertilization were visible in some eggs after storage at each time period and at both temperatures.