Metabolie assessment of wallaby blastocysts during embryonic diapause and subsequent reactivation

Abstract

The metabolism of tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) blastocysts was analysed by means of quantitative fluorescence microscopy during embryonic diapause and 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 10 days after reactivation to determine nutrient preferences during metabolic reactivation of the blastocyst. The surface area of quiescent blastocysts was 016±0 02mm2 (meanis.e.m.), and increased to 0-44±0-04mm2 (P < 0-05) by Day 8 after removal of the sucking stimulus of the pouch young (RPY). Day-10 blastocysts, analysed over two successive breeding seasons, were significantly different in size from each other (Group A, 1992: 4-44±l -47 mm2; Group B, 1993: 18-87±4-62 mm2; P <0-01), and both groups were significantly d..