Birth of Pups after Intra-ovarian Bursal Transfer of Hamster Zygotes

Abstract

Syrian (Golden) hamster zygotes (pronuclear eggs) were collected from oviducts of donors and transferred to either oviducts or ovarian bursae of recipient females. Zygotes could develop into live young regardless of the post-ovulatory age of the zygotes and of the recipient females tested. The best results were obtained when the zygotes were transferred to ovarian bursae shortly before their first cleavage. Intra-ovarian bursal transfer of the zygotes is easy to perform. It may be applied to assessment of developmental potential of microsurgically operated hamster oocytes/zygotes.