A method for zebrafish follicle transplantation into recipient mothers for the generation of fertilizable eggs and viable offspring

In zebrafish and other externally developing animals, maternal effect gene products significantly contribute to embryonic and larval development. Several methods exist for both forward and reverse genetic manipulation of maternal gene products, yet it remains technically difficult to interfere with maternal gene products. Therefore, alternative methods to manipulate maternal factors in oocytes remain of interest. Here we describe a method which allows manipulation and subsequent transplantation of stage I–II follicles of zebrafish into recipient mothers where donor oocytes can develop into mature eggs and produce viable offspring. Additionally, we describe a simple microinjection protocol for injecting reporter constructs into follicles as a proxy for manipulating maternal effect genes.