Optical coherence tomography for high-resolution imaging of mouse development in utero

Abstract

Abstract.Although the mouse is a superior model to study mammalian embryonic development, high-resolution live dynamic visualization of mouse embryos remain a technical challenge. We present optical coherence tomography as a novel methodology for live imaging of mouse embryos through the uterine wall thereby allowing for time lapse analysis of developmental processes and direct phenotypic analysis of developing embryos. We assessed the capability of the proposed methodology to visualize structures of the living embryo from embryonic stages 12.5 to 18.5 days postcoitus. Repetitive in utero embryonic imaging is demonstrated. Our work opens the door for a wide range of live, in utero embryonic studies to screen for mutations and understand the effects of pharmacological and toxicological agents leading to birth defects. C 2011 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE).

Comparative assessments of the effects of alcohol exposure on fetal brain development using optical coherence tomography and ultrasound imaging

“…Nevertheless, our group has recently demonstrated possibility of in utero imaging of mice embryonic organs, including brain. 11 …”

“…[8][9][10] More recently, we demonstrated the capacity of SSOCT to be adapted to longitudinal studies in mice embryos to monitor the development of morphological features such as the brain, limbs, and ocular structures, in utero. 11,12 In this paper, we report pilot results from a study where we used SSOCT and high-resolution ultrasound imaging to compare the volumes of lateral ventricles between control fetal mice and fetal mice exposed to ethanol in utero, during the second trimester-equivalent period of pregnancy, a critical period for neurogenesis in the developing brain. 13 These data show that the volume of lateral ventricles of ethanol-exposed fetuses is significantly larger than in the fetuses in control group, which indicates that SSOCT may be used in animal models, to successfully detect evidence for ventriculomegaly and perturbations in neural development following maternal exposure to a common drug of abuse.…”

Comparison and combination of rotational imaging optical coherence tomography and selective plane illumination microscopy for embryonic study

“…Recently OCT was used to image the neural tube closure which is a critical process in the development of neural tube defects [21]. Quantitative assessment of different developmental processes, such as the formation of the brain and limb growth in normal and pathological states has also be performed [22,23]. Given their different contrast mechanisms, the combination of OCT and SPIM can provide complementary information for a deeper understanding of embryogenesis.…”

Rotational imaging optical coherence tomography for full-body mouse embryonic imaging

“…23 Because of its noninvasive nature, rapid imaging speed, nondestructive near-infrared illumination, and micrometer-scale spatial resolution, OCT has widely been used for murine embryonic imaging. 15,24,25 Our group has previously demonstrated in utero and in vivo applications of OCT to study different aspects of murine embryo development, such as in cardiovascular, 26,27 ocular, 15 limb, 24 and brain 28 tissue. Despite continuous progress in OCT technology development, imaging depth remains a major challenge, limiting visualization of mouse embryos older than E9.5 (embryonic day 9.5-days after a vaginal plug was found) with OCT.…”