A Simple Mammalian Whole Embryo Culture System to Study High-Temperature Effects on Development

Abstract

Whole embryo culture is a unique system for developing rodent embryos outside the uterus. This system enables the observation and manipulation of mammalian embryos during specific periods of embryonic development. Established techniques utilize a rotating bottle system that continuously supplies oxygen. However, commercial devices are currently unavailable, making the new implementation of this system virtually impossible. Furthermore, the conventional device had limitations in temperature settings, making embryonic development studies impossible under conditions deviating from the optimal temperature for mammalian embryos. In this study, we developed a simple rotating culture system that can be installed in a commercially available incubator. Embryo growth and physiological status in this devise are equivalent to those in embryos cultured in the conventional system. Using this system, we clarified the harmful effects of hyperthermia during the early stages of mouse embryonic development. This device is fully suitable for whole embryo culture in mammals and provides a foundation for verifying embryonic development states in rodents under various temperature conditions.