Germ Cell Protocols

For volume 1 alone: A gold-standard collection of readily reproducible techniques for the molecular and genetic analysis of germ cells in a variety of different reproductive systems. Volume 1: Sperm and Oocyte Analysis focuses on sperm cells, oocyte analysis, oocyte maturation, fertilization, and preparation techniques. Highlights include in vitro maturation and fertilization of human, porcine, and canine oocytes; the cryopreservation of sperm cells; establishment of an in vitro spermatogenesis system; visualization of sperm accessory structures; and motility assays of stallion spermatozoa. Each readily reproducible protocol is described in step-by-step detail and contains an introduction outlining the principle behind the technique, lists of equipment and reagents, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. For both volumes: A gold-standard collection of readily reproducible techniques for the molecular and genetic analysis of germ cells in a variety of different reproductive systems.The methods cover sperm and egg activation, motility, fertilization, nuclear development, nuclear cloning, the molecular characterization of specific events, and the imaging of cell structures. Volume 1: Sperm and Oocyte Analysis focuses on sperm cells, oocyte analysis, oocyte maturation, fertilization, and preparation techniques. Volume 2: Molecular Embryo Analysis, Live Imaging, Transgenesis, and Cloning contains methods for molecular egg analysis, live egg imaging, nuclear cloning, oocyte preservation, and nuclear transfer. Comprehensive and cutting-edge, Germ Cell Protocols offers both novice and established researchers a gold-standard collection of hard-to-find methods of high impact research, diverse procedures that are easy-to-follow, well-illustrated, and allow a cross-species transfer of knowledge from lower vertebrates to higher mammalian systems.