Figure 7

Confocal scanning laser micrographs comparing distribution of PAD and LCA-binding cortical granule components in in vivo matured 8-cell embryos and blastocysts. Optical sections (A – C and G – I) and two-dimensional projections of z-series (D – F and J – L) of zona intact 8-cell embryos (A – F) and blastocysts (G – L) labeled with LCA (red) and ABL₂ (green). A and D show the LCA labeling in the zona pellucida (arrowhead). B and E show ABL₂ labeling on the plasma membranes and in the subcortical region (arrow) of blastomeres. G and J show LCA labeling of the trophoblast cells and the inner cell mass cells. H and K show ABL₂ labeling of the trophoblast cells. C, F, I, and L are merged confocal images and two-dimensional projections showing both LCA and ABL₂ labeling.