Nile Red and BODIPY Staining of Lipid Droplets in Mouse Oocytes and Embryos

Methods Mol Biol. 2023:2566:205-212. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2675-7_16.

Abstract

Lipid droplets (LDs) are intracellular structures composed of hydrophobic lipids. Their amount in oocytes and embryos varies among the mammalian species and even among different strains of the same species. Here we describe a method to stain LDs, which can be applied to previously fixed mouse oocytes and embryos. This method is based on fluorescent dyes, Nile red and BODIPY, which allow visualization and quantification of LDs using conventional and confocal fluorescence microscopy.

Keywords: BODIPY; Embryos; Fixation; Lipid droplets; Nile red; Oocytes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Boron Compounds
  • Fluorescent Dyes*
  • Lipid Droplets*
  • Lipids
  • Mammals
  • Mice
  • Oocytes
  • Oxazines
  • Staining and Labeling

Substances

  • 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene
  • Boron Compounds
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Lipids
  • Oxazines
  • nile red