ASSESSMENT OF MOUSE EMBRYO VIABILITY BY ESTERASIC ACTIVITY DETECTION

In order to evaluate the esterasic activity within the viable embryos we used the Fluorescein diacetate (FDA) staining test. For staining was used a 0.5 mg/ml FDA stock solution. The embryos were recovered at 48 hours post coitus from superovulated Swiss mouse females. Before staining the embryos were microscopically evaluated by morphological criteria and classified in 4 quality codes. The two methods used for quality and viability assessment were correlated applying Pearson coefficient. The calculated value of the Pearson coefficient (r=1) showed a strong correlation between the two methods used and indicate FDA staining test and esterasic activity as a fast, easy and reliable method for embryo viability assessment.