Fluorescein-diacetate, a fluorescent dye compound stain for rapid evaluation of the viability of mammalian oocytes prior to in vitro studies.

Abstract

A method for a quantitative measurement of the fluorescence activity of porcine egg cells is described. The non-polar fluorescein-diacetate molecules enter the cell, are hydrolyzed by cell esterases, and fluorescein is produced. This polar compound can not leave the cell because it is unable to pass through the intact cell membrane, and it therefore accumulates in the cytoplasm of the cell. Damaged cells however show a distinct loss of fluorescein through the cell membrane. With the aid of a fluorescence microscope, a photometer and a recorder, the amount of radiated light can be measured. The advantages of this method in oocyte research are briefly discussed.