A Rapid and Simple Procedure for the Isolation of Embryonic Cells from Fish Eggs

Abstract

Fertilized teleost fish eggs are a complex formation, in which dividing cells arelocated in a small point in the entire volume of eggs. Isolating embryonic cellscan be considered a necessary step in the research of developmentalpeculiarities of fish cells at the earliest stages of embryogenesis beforeembryo formation. The main advantages of the offered protocol are rapidisolation, no enzymes, and overall low cost compared to other protocols. Theprotocol is suitable for the isolation of embryonic cells from medium-sized eggsat the stages of blastula or gastrula, for studies in a variety of applications(e.g., microscopy, flow cytometry, and other methods). Fertilized nelma eggs(Stenodus leucichthys nelma) are used in the protocol as a model.Key features• Fast and cheap isolation of cells from fish eggs at early stages (blastula orgastrula).• Applicable for most of the methods for cell study (any staining, microscopy, flowcytometry, etc.).• Can be applied to other teleost fish eggs with medium egg diameter of 3–4mm.Graphical overview