BMS 642 -- Research Techniques for Gametes and Embryos

Course Description: Collection, storage, evaluation, in vitro manipulation, and replacement of sperm, oocytes, embryos, and other reproductive tissues.

Course Objectives: This "hands on" lab course introduces graduate students to selected biotechnology techniques, emphasizing vertebrate embryos, sperm, and oocytes.

Procedures covered include:

• Light microscopy, including fluorescence and differential phase contrast optics.
• Semen collection and evaluation.
• Cryopreservation of somatic cells, sperm, and embryos, including vitrification.
• Nonsurgical embryo recovery and transfer techniques.
• In vitro oocyte maturation and fertilization.
• Development of mammalian embryos in vitro.
• Methods for evaluating embryos.
• Microsurgery to embryos, including sperm injection.
• Procedures to clone animals and make transgenic animals.
• Elutriation to separate cells by size.

In addition to systematic coverage of these techniques, each student chooses a mini-research project.

Prerequisites: Course that included reproductive physiology

Format: 1 credit - 3 hours laboratory per week

Semesters Offered: Spring (even numbered years only); the time the course meets each semester varies to suit the needs of the students

Coordinator: G.E. Seidel

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