Embryo Dechorionation Protocol
Embryo Dechorionation Protocol - Related Videos
09:03
Dechorionation of Medaka Embryos and Cell Transplantation for the Generation of Chimeras
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Cited by 20 •
2010
Due to the hard chorion and soft embryos, manipulation of medaka embryos is more involved than in zebrafish. This video shows step-by-step procedures for how to manipulate medaka embryos, including dechorionation, mounting in agarose for imaging and cell transplantation for the production of chimeras. These procedures are essential to use medaka and zebrafish in a laboratory to take full advantage of their complementary features for the genetic dissection of vertebrate genome functions.
03:26
Drosophila Egg Collection and Dechorionation: A Method to Remove the Outermost Egg Layer
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2023
The Drosophila embryo is surrounded by protective outer membranes. To gain access to the embryo, the chorion–the outermost of the membranes–is often removed. This video describes a commonly used method of dechorionation using sodium hypochlorite. The example protocol demonstrates the procedure while employing sterile techniques necessary for axenic or gnotobiotic animal rearing.
10:57
Chicken Embryo Spinal Cord Slice Culture Protocol
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Cited by 3 •
2013
Slice cultures facilitate the manipulation of embryo development by gene and pharmacological perturbations. However, culture conditions must ensure that normal development can proceed within the reduced environment of the slice. We illustrate a protocol that facilitates normal spinal cord development to proceed for at least 24 hr.
08:57
The Preparation of Drosophila Embryos for Live-Imaging Using the Hanging Drop Protocol
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Cited by 34 •
2009
A simple, inexpensive, and effective method of preparing Drosophila embryos for live-imaging analysis is presented. Our protocol provides humidity and gas exchange and does not compress the Drosophila embryo. This method is suitable for GFP-based live imaging of Drosophila embryos using a stereomicroscope or upright compound microscope.
05:51
Microinjection of Live Drosophila Embryos: Early Delivery of Reagents to the Developing Embryo
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2023
This video describes how to perform microinjections that deliver reagents into live Drosophila embryos. Researchers can use this method to introduce exogenous compounds like nucleic acids and proteins during the early stages of embryo development. The featured protocol demonstrates how to set up and perform the procedure for injection of any soluble reagent–here, a fluorescent protein for live imaging experiments.
FAQs
Mechanical handling loosens and removes the chorion through controlled physical manipulation, whereas enzymatic treatment uses digestion to weaken the surrounding layer. The choice affects how the chorion is removed and how carefully exposure must be controlled. Both approaches require conditions that improve embryo accessibility without compromising viability or subsequent development.
These variables determine whether the chorion separates effectively while the embryo remains intact. Insufficient exposure or force may leave chorion material that obstructs imaging or manipulation, while excessive treatment can damage the embryo. Coordinating treatment duration with the selected removal approach therefore helps preserve viability and supports reliable downstream developmental assays.
Incomplete removal can continue to block access to the embryo, reducing the effectiveness of high-resolution imaging, microinjection, drug exposure, or cell transplantation. Excessive mechanical or enzymatic treatment creates the opposite risk by harming the embryo and affecting development. The protocol therefore requires a balance between adequate accessibility and gentle handling.
A general workflow consists of applying either controlled mechanical handling or enzymatic digestion, loosening the chorion, removing it, and then using the prepared embryo for the intended experiment. Throughout the process, researchers control reagent exposure, physical force, and timing. These controls help maintain embryo viability while producing sufficient access for observation or manipulation.
Researchers use dechorionated embryos when the surrounding chorion would interfere with procedures or observations. The preparation can support high-resolution imaging, microinjection, drug exposure, cell transplantation, and developmental assays. Its value lies in making the embryo more directly accessible, allowing experiments that are difficult to perform effectively while the chorion remains in place.
Removing the chorion can make developmental structures and processes easier to observe and experimentally manipulate. This access supports imaging-based investigation, targeted delivery through microinjection, exposure to test compounds, and transplantation of cells. Because the preparation must preserve viability and development, dechorionation also becomes an important experimental condition when interpreting developmental outcomes.