The starting material for de novo isolation of stem cell lines can be either normal 3.5-days post coitum (dpc) expanded blastocysts or "delayed" blastocysts. Delayed blastocysts are usually collected 4-6 days after ovariectomy. For both groups of blastocysts, tissue culture procedures are similar. The only difference is the timing of the first disaggregation, because delayed blastocysts will initially grow more slowly. - [Read De Novo Isolation of Embryonic Stem (ES) Cell Lines from Blastocysts Protocol]
Protocol describes a method for removal of mouse ovaries in combination with the administration of progesterone, which causes the arrest of blastocyst development. This procedure is performed during the afternoon of the third day of pregnancy to ensure that the morulae have moved sufficiently into the oviducts and will be less likely to be damaged during the ovariectomy. - [Read Ovariectomy for Induction of Blastocyst Implantation Delay Protocol]