Developmental and reproductive pathology (DART Pathology) is an integral component of drug development, chemical risk assessment, and environmental toxicology studies. Our service investigates how therapeutic interventions or compounds influence reproductive system structure and function along with embryonic development and offspring health.
With our expertise in histopathological analysis, we provide comprehensive pathology support for a wide range of DART studies, covering the entire reproductive process from pre-fertilization and gestation to the perinatal period and postnatal development.
Core Services
Embryonic developmental pathology
Our service provides multidimensional evaluation of embryos at any development stage by assessing both morphological features and molecular characteristics.
- Embryo Morphology Analysis: The dissection and microscopic evaluation of the whole embryo to assess overall morphology, organ development, and malformations.
- Karyotyping: Identification of chromosomal number or structural abnormalities via FISH or high-throughput sequencing.
- Developmental Gene Expression Analysis: Assessment of temporal expression patterns of key regulatory genes.
Reproductive system pathology
We offer detailed histology and cytology evaluation of both the male and female reproductive systems, including:
- Histopathological Examination of Reproductive Organs: Morphological assessment of the testis, ovary, uterus, and other reproductive tissues by H&E and IHC staining.
- Cytopathological Assessment: Evaluation of germ cell cycle phases, apoptosis, and abnormal proliferation.
- Genetic Testing for Reproductive Diseases: Detection of gene expression changes or mutations associated with infertility and reproductive developmental disorders.
Methods and Technology Platforms
- Histology and Microscopy: Includes standard H&E staining, special staining, and digital imaging analysis
- Immunohistochemistry (IHC): Detection and localization of specific proteins in tissue sections (e.g., Ki-67, Caspase-3, VASA)
- Cytological Analysis: Evaluation of cell morphology, division states, and cytoplasmic structures
- Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH): Chromosomal analysis and localization of target sequences
- Quantitative PCR (qPCR): Rapid quantification of gene expression related to reproductive and developmental processes
- Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS): Comprehensive profiling of genetic variants and expression patterns related to development and reproduction
Key Features
- All-in-One test panels: from embryo morphology to molecular pathology, we provide an all-inclusive testing service for reproductive and developmental function.
- Standard/automated protocols and advanced equipment: with slide scanners, automated immunostainers and advanced NGS systems in place, we provide robust data in an efficient manner.
- Experienced pathologists: our developmental and toxicologic pathology team will provide you with accurate diagnosis and interpretation of the data generated.
- Flexible services: based on your study goals and sample types we tailor our service to meet your needs, and can work with both hypothesis-driven and exploratory studies, both GLP and non-GLP.
- Consistent and high-quality data: with our standard reporting protocols that include digital image archives, quantitative data, and statistical summaries we can facilitate data integration and publication needs.
Applications
- Evaluation of reproductive and developmental toxicity for new drug safety
- Mechanism studies for reproductive system diseases (e.g., infertility, reproductive tumor)
- Functional studies of genes that are involved in embryonic development
- Genetic/toxicity of the environment
- Histopathological validation for gene editing models
If you are seeking developmental and reproductive pathology services, our expert team is ready to provide efficient, reliable, and flexible solutions tailored to your research goals.