Table 1.

Metaphase plate and spindle structure in anoxic embryos

	Metaphase Plate		Metaphase
	Length ± SD (μm)	Width ± SD (μm)	Spindle Perimeter ± SD (μm)
Normoxia	4.33 ± .48	.96 ± .13	13.83 ± .85
Anoxia:
30 minutes	3.92 ± .45	.87 ± .10	13.73 ± .87
6 hours	3.51 ± .19	1.12 ± .19	9.20 ± .74
12 hours	3.23 ± .10	1.24 ± .13	8.41 ± .25
24 hours	2.51 ± .30	1.26 ± .07	6.77 ± .63
72 hours	2.71 ± .18	1.25 ± .04	6.82 ± .37

For each assay at least 12 embryos were assayed.

SD is Standard Deviation

The p value was < .001 for metaphase plate length and metaphase spindle perimeter measurements for embryos exposed to 6 or more hours of anoxia and for metaphase plate width measurements for embryos exposed to 12 hours of anoxia.