Journal: STAR Protocols
Article Title: Para-uterine imaging protocol: Stabilizing living mouse embryos within the maternal abdomen for in vivo imaging and visually guided physiology
doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2026.104446
Figure Lengend Snippet: Preparation for para-uterine imaging (A) Preparatory Steps 1 - 3: Setup prior to the start of surgery. 1: Mouse temperature controller, with associated heating pad and temperature probe. 2: Shaver. 3: UV-protective glasses. 4: Norland 65 UV-curing glue. 5: Eye lubricant. 6: Cover glasses. 7: Plastic pipette. 8: Retractors (x4). 9: Embryo holder. 10: Headbar. 11: Fine scissors. 12: Spring scissors. 13: Blunt-tipped forceps (x2). 14: Ring-tipped forceps. 15: Fine-tipped forceps (x2). 16: Binocular dissection scope. 17: HBSS. 18: Alligator clamp. 19: Underpad. More details in A. (B – L) Stepwise progression of surgery. (B) Preparatory Steps 8, 9 and Steps 1a, 1b: Placement of the dam in a supine position, followed by sterilization, removal of fur from the abdomen, and cutting through the skin. (C) Steps 1a, 1b: Cutting through the muscular fascia. (D) Step 1c, 3: Using retractors to open the abdominal cavity, exposing the uterine horns, and opening up the uterus. (E) Steps 4: Selecting an embryo and then opening up the amniotic sac to expose the embryo. Preparing an alligator clamp to stabilize the embryo holder. (F) Step 7: Placing the embryo gently in the embryo holder. (G) Step 9: Transferring the embryo holder to the alligator clamp. (H) Step 11: Adding agar to the embryo holder. (I) Step 12: Adhering the headbar to the embryo holder. (J) Step 13: Transferring the embryo holder to the external supports. (K) Steps 15, 16: Removing the skin (and bone) from the head of the embryo. Inset: Exposed embryonic brain (process detailed in ). (L) Step 19: Cover glass added to the embryo. Inset: Embryonic brain covered by cover glass, with the space filled with cortex buffer (process detailed in ).
Article Snippet: Blunt-tipped forceps , Fine Science Tools , 11652–10.
Techniques: Imaging, Transferring, Dissection