Protocol describes a method for producing diploid embryo-tetraploid embryo chimeras. It requires the timed combination of four-cell-stage tetraploid embryo production and the procedure for diploid embryo-diploid embryo aggregation. The resulting chimeras are useful for phenotypic analysis when an induced mutation has an extraembryonic phenotype. - [Read Assembling Aggregates between Diploid and Tetraploid Embryos Protocol]
Protocol describes a method for assembling aggregates between diploid embryos. If embryos from a heterozygous mutant intercross are aggregated with wild-type embryos, the resulting chimeras can be used for analyzing mutant phenotypes. - [Read Assembling Aggregates between Diploid Embryos Protocol]
Protocol describes a method for assembling aggregates between ES cells and diploid embryos. The resulting chimeras are useful for separating certain extraembryonic phenotypes from phenotypes in the embryo proper, since the diploid embryo contributes to all parts of the conceptus, but the ES cell component does not contribute to the trophoblast or yolk sac endoderm. - [Read Assembling Aggregates between Embryonic Stem (ES) Cells and Diploid Embryos Protocol]
Protocol describes a method for producing ES cell-tetraploid embryo chimeras. It requires the timed combination of four-cell-stage tetraploid embryo production and the procedure for ES cell-diploid embryo aggregation in which diploid embryos are replaced with tetraploid embryos. The resulting chimeras can be used to analyze the embryonic versus extraembryonic phenotype of a mutation. - [Read Assembling Aggregates between Embryonic Stem (ES) Cells and Tetraploid Embryos Protocol]
Protocol describes a method for collecting blastocysts from pregnant female mice at 3.5 to 4.5 days post coitum (dpc). The blastocysts can then be injected with embryonic stem cells to make chimeras. - [Read Collecting Blastocysts Protocol]
This protocol describes a method for injecting mouse blastocysts with embryonic stem (ES) cells to produce chimeras. - [Read Injecting Blastocysts Protocol]
Protocol describes how to set up microdrop cultures to produce embryos which can then be used for making chimeras. The microdrop culture should be set up several hours to 1 day before the experiment to permit temperature and gas equilibration. - [Read Setting Up Microdrop Cultures Protocol]