Dechorionation
Dechorionation - Related Videos
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.
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.
09:38
Embryo Microinjection and Electroporation in the Chordate Ciona intestinalis
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Cited by 17 •
2016
We present transient transgenesis and gene knockdown in Ciona intestinalis, a chordate sister group to vertebrates, using microinjection and electroporation techniques. Such methods facilitate functional genomics in this simple invertebrate that features rudimentary characteristics of vertebrates, including notochord and head sensory epithelia, and many orthologs of human disease associated genes.
10:36
In Vivo Imaging of Transgenic Gene Expression in Individual Retinal Progenitors in Chimeric Zebrafish Embryos to Study Cell Nonautonomous Influences
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Cited by 2 •
2017
Live tracking of individual WT retinal progenitors in distinct genetic backgrounds allows for the assessment of the contribution of cell non-autonomous signaling during neurogenesis. Here, a combination of gene knockdown, chimera generation via embryo transplantation and in vivo time-lapse confocal imaging was utilized for this purpose.
03:27
Layered Agar Mounting: Preparing Live Zebrafish Embryos for Long-Term Imaging with an Inverted Microscope
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2023
This article describes a method to mount live zebrafish embryos for long term imaging. This method is cost effective and easy to perform using regular glass-bottom microscopy dishes for imaging on Inverted Microscope. The mounting is performed in layers of agarose at different concentrations.
FAQs
Pronase acts on the protein components of the chorion, weakening the envelope so it can be separated from the embryo with less force. The treatment is followed by gentle handling, such as forceps or mechanical agitation, rather than relying on physical removal alone. This combination improves access while helping preserve the viability needed for developmental experiments.
The chorion forms a physical barrier between the embryo and the external experimental environment. Removing it allows investigators to reach the developing embryo more directly for procedures such as microinjection, imaging, drug exposure, and cell or tissue manipulation. The resulting access supports more precise observation and intervention during early developmental stages.
Enzymatic treatment loosens the chorion, but it may not completely separate the envelope from the embryo. Gentle forceps manipulation or controlled mechanical agitation can then remove the weakened covering. Using mechanical handling after digestion limits the force required compared with attempting to detach an intact chorion, helping maintain embryonic viability during preparation.
A typical workflow begins by exposing embryos to a proteolytic enzyme such as pronase. Once the chorion has been digested and loosened, the embryos undergo gentle removal of the envelope with forceps or mechanical agitation. The prepared embryos can then be used for downstream procedures requiring direct access, including microinjection, imaging, or controlled exposure to experimental compounds.
Investigators use dechorionation when the chorion would obstruct a planned manipulation or limit exposure of the embryo. It is relevant to microinjection, imaging, drug exposure, and cell or tissue manipulation. In zebrafish studies, this preparation can support research on early development, toxicology, disease mechanisms, and experimental treatments by making the embryo more directly accessible.
By reducing a physical barrier while maintaining embryonic viability, dechorionation enables more direct experimental access to developing tissues. This can improve the precision of interventions and observations, allowing researchers to examine developmental processes, responses to treatments, or effects associated with toxicology and disease mechanisms. The value of the preparation depends on removing the chorion without compromising the embryo.