Pollen Viability Analysis
Pollen Viability Analysis - Related Videos
02:07
Viability Analysis of Microcystis aeruginosa Using Flow Cytometry
0 Views •
2025
Source: Chapman, I. J., et al., Molecular Probe Optimization to Determine Cell Mortality in a Photosynthetic Organism (Microcystis aeruginosa) Using Flow Cytometry. J. Vis. Exp. (2016)This video demonstrates the method for distinguishing live and dead Microcystis aeruginosa cells by combining fluorescent probe labeling with flow cytometric analysis of phycocyanin autofluorescence and probe signal.
06:34
A Component-resolved Diagnostic Approach for a Study on Grass Pollen Allergens in Chinese Southerners with Allergic Rhinitis and/or Asthma
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Cited by 4 •
2017
This work describes a protocol that uses a component-resolved approach to study sensitization to grass pollen allergens in a cohort of patients from southern China with allergic rhinitis and/or asthma.
12:03
Viability Assays for Cells in Culture
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Cited by 39 •
2014
Therapeutic compounds are often first examined in vitro with viability assays. Blind cell counts by a human observer can be highly sensitive to small changes in cell number but do not assess function. Computerized viability assays, as described here, can assess both structure and function in an objective manner.
05:47
Counting and Determining the Viability of Cultured Cells
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Cited by 19 •
2008
Determining the number of cells in culture is important in standardization of culture conditions and in performing accurate quantitation experiments. In this video, we demonstrate how cells are counted using a hemacytometer.
08:11
Collection and Identification of Pollen from Honey Bee Colonies
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Cited by 8 •
2021
We describe methods for collecting corbicular pollen from honey bees as well as protocols for color sorting, acetolysis, and microscope slide preparation of pollen for taxonomic identification. In addition, we present pellet color and taxonomic diversity of corbicular pollen collected from five cropping systems using pollen traps.
FAQs
Vital stains assess metabolic activity within pollen grains, providing an indicator that the grains remain biologically active. A germination test instead places pollen on a nutrient medium and evaluates whether it germinates and produces pollen tubes. These approaches examine different observable responses, so the selected test should match whether the study emphasizes cellular activity or functional pollen-tube development.
Temperature and humidity must remain suitable while pollen is placed on nutrient medium because the test depends on successful germination and pollen-tube growth. If conditions are unsuitable, the observed response may not accurately represent the pollen sample's reproductive potential. Controlled conditions therefore make comparisons among samples more meaningful when researchers evaluate fertility or donor performance.
Pollen viability analysis can reveal changes associated with storage, developmental maturity, or environmental stress. These factors may influence whether grains retain metabolic activity or can germinate and extend pollen tubes. Comparing samples exposed to different conditions helps researchers identify changes in reproductive potential and determine which pollen is more suitable for controlled pollination or hybridization.
A typical workflow begins by selecting a pollen sample and choosing either a vital stain or a germination assay. For staining, researchers detect metabolic activity in the grains. For germination, they place pollen on nutrient medium under suitable temperature and humidity, then observe germination and pollen-tube growth. The resulting observations provide evidence for evaluating the sample's fertility.
The analysis helps identify effective pollen donors before controlled pollination or hybridization. Researchers can use viability results to select samples more likely to support reliable reproductive outcomes, rather than relying only on pollen availability. This is particularly valuable in crop improvement, where donor choice can influence the success of breeding efforts and the production of desired crosses.
In crop improvement, viability data help researchers select pollen with suitable reproductive performance and optimize breeding procedures. In conservation, the same information supports decisions about preserving valuable plant genetic resources by showing how pollen condition relates to reproductive potential. These applications connect laboratory measurements of pollen activity or germination with broader goals in reproductive biology and genetic-resource management.