To find out the suitable method for blastomeres fusion of mouse 2-cell embryo using electric stimuli, these studies were carried out with various voltages (1.0 KV, 1.2 KV, 1.5 KV, 1.7 KV and 2.0KV), pulse duration times($50{\mu}\;sec$, $75/{\mu}\;sec$...
To find out the suitable method for blastomeres fusion of mouse 2-cell embryo using electric stimuli, these studies were carried out with various voltages (1.0 KV, 1.2 KV, 1.5 KV, 1.7 KV and 2.0KV), pulse duration times($50{\mu}\;sec$, $75/{\mu}\;sec$, $100{\mu}\;sec$) and different fusion solutions. In addition, the fused embryos were cultured for 72-80hr to observe their subsequent development. These results were summarized as follows: 1. The proportion of the fused embryos were 50.8%(34/67), 60.7%(34/56), 70.6%(48/68), 66.7% (48/72) and 85.3% (58/68) after stimuli of 1.0KV, 1.2KV, 1.5KV, 1.7KV and 2.0KV for $100{\mu}\;sec$ with 2 times, and the electric stimulation at 2.0KV(85.3%) was the most effective voltage on the blastomere fusion. 2. For in vitro development, blastocysts of the fused embryos were cultured for 72-80hrs in $M_{16}$ medium. The group(52.1%) treated with 1.5KV for $100{\mu}\;sec$ with 2 times showd higher development rates than those any other group. However, these results were not corresponded to those of the rates of blastomere fusion. 3. There were no significant differences among the rates of blastomeres fusion to 50(70.6%), 75(71.9%), and 100(78.0%) ${\mu}sec$ stimulation at 1.5KV with two times. However, the development rates of the fused embryo in vitro were 52.1%(25/48), 28.3%(13/46) and 9.4%(3/32) at the above conditions, and the development rates of fused embryo increased as the pulse duration times increased. 4. The rates of the blastomeres fusion were 38.9% (28/72) or 70.6% (48/68) in electrolyte (PBS) or non-electrolyte(0.3M mannitol) solution. The development rates of the fused embryo were 32.1% (9/28) or 52.1%(25/48) in the above fusion solutions, and non-electrolyte-treated group showed higher development rates of embryo than that of electrolyte-treated group.