This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by SHAVER, E. L. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by SHAVER, E. L.

THE CHROMOSOME COMPLEMENT OF BLASTOCYSTS FROM RABBITS INJECTED WITH VARIOUS DOSES OF HCG BEFORE OVULATION

In a previous study, the effect of delayed fertilization of ova on the chromosome complement of 6-day blastocysts was investigated (Shaver & Carr, 1969). Human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) causes ovulation to occur in rabbits approximately 10 hr after injection. When mating was delayed at least 6 hr, 13% of the blastocysts were found to be triploid. Triploidy was not found in the control series, although blastocysts from animals mated immediately after HCG injection had a 7% incidence of other types of chromosomal anomalies. Rabbits receiving no exogenous gonadotrophin gave rise to only 2% of blastocysts with abnormal chromosomes. This difference led to an experiment in which various doses of HCG were injected before mating in order to determine whether a relationship existed between the dose level and the chromosomal abnormalities found in 6-day blastocysts.

Adult rabbits of mixed breeds purchased from a local supplier were used. Eleven rabbits were