Fusion of Mouse Egg Cells Induced by Newcastle Disease Virus

Summary

Dissociated mouse blastomeres cultured in a microdrop of Brinster's medium containing live Newcastle disease virus ranging from 10² to 10⁴ plaque forming units fused to form multinucleate giant cells. Regardless of the concentration of the virus employed, about 60% of the blastomere preparations fused in 24 hr and showed an additional fusion of 20% in 48 hr. The blastomeres fused additively by surface contact or by intercellular bridging. Membranous materials of the fused blastomeres appeared to be partially or entirely incorporated into the new membrane of a giant cell. A giant cell could be composed of up to 15 blastomeres. After 24 hr of culturing, the nuclei of a giant cell were usually seen in scattered fashion; and after 48 hr all the nuclei clumped within the cell. Under the conditions employed, neither mononucleate cells of giant size nor lysis of the polykaryocytes during manipulation was observed.