Nels H. Granholm

In vivo development of the lethal yellow (Ay/Ay) mouse embryo at 105 hours post coitum

When histologically examined in utero at 105 hours post coitum embryos from Ay/a × Ay/a matings contained a mean (± SE) of 122.7 ± 6.5 nuclei per embryo; of these, 30.2 ± 2.4 nuclei were in the inner cell mass (ICM) and 92.5 ± 4.8 nuclei were within trophoblast cells. Embryos from ♂ Ay/a × ♀ a/a matings contained a mean of 141.4 ± 10.6 nuclei per embryo of which 41.7 ± 4.5 nuclei were within the ICM and 99.7 ± 6.9 nuclei were trophoblastic. ICM cell numbers were significantly different between genotypes (P < 0.05) suggesting that homozygous Ay allele expression selectively interferes with ICM versus trophoblast cell differentiation during preimplantation development.

Development of velvet coat (ve/ve), another early lethal mutation in the house mouse.

SummaryA new semidominant mutation in the house mouse, velvet coat (Ve), is described. Ve homozygotes, recognizable on day 5 of gestation by their deficiency of ectodermal cells, never produce mesoderm and are resorbed by days 9–10. Primary Ve action may occur during the formation of the blastocyst or during determination and differentiation of the inner cell mass, or both. Accordingly, Ve/Ve embryos may provide a useful model for investigating primary gene action during blastocyst formation and subsequent differentiation.

Global Imperatives of the 21st Century: The Academy’s Response

AbstractOur twenty-first century world deteriorates socially, biologically, and physically while we in the Academy blindly pursue our “disciplinary truths.” As responsible members of the Academy and as interdisciplinary global studies specialists, we have an obligation to educate our students and colleagues by providing fundamental knowledge, tools, training, and hopefully passion to become interculturally competent and authentic global citizens. As a Coordinator of a Global Studies Program at a Land-Grant University, I would like to discuss specific strategies on how to motivate students, faculty members, and administrators alike in order to confront and resolve widespread problems in global social injustice and the ominously declining biological and physical states of our Earth. Most critically, we in the Academy, our honored and treasured professoriate, are obliged to provide the knowledge, tools, and leadership to engage the world and work toward resolution of our twenty-first century global imperatives.

Histological analyses of lethal yellow mouse embryos (Ay/Ay)at 90 and 132 h Post Coitum

SummaryStrain C57BL/6J-Ay/Ayembryos are developmentally retarded in utero at 90 hpc and are resorbed by 132 hpc. The Ay/Aydevelopmental delay previously observed in vitro has now been confirmed in vivo. Apparently Ayis involved in some aspect of cleavage stage metabolism.