Electric field mediated transfer of enzymes into human oocytes

Abstract

In an attempt to develop a simple, atraumatic technique of introducing macromolecules and enzymes into human oocytes, we have investigated the use of electric field mediated transfer. Eighty-seven percent of human oocytes showed cytochemical evidence for the transfer of the enzyme horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The cell viability after this procedure was 89% as determined by the vital dye rhodamine-123. This study demonstrates that the enzyme HRP can be transferred into human oocytes using the electric field mediated method. Functional activity of the enzyme was maintained after this transfer.