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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2012 Jan 31.
Published in final edited form as: Insect Biochem Mol Biol. 2010 Aug 19;40(11):792–804. doi: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2010.07.007

Figure 3. Eggshell layers and EPS removal of the waxy layer.

Figure 3

A) The five layers of the eggshell are diagramed. From innermost to outermost they are: the vitelline membrane (VM,~300nm thick), the waxy layer (~5nm), the inner chorionic layer (ICL, 40-50nm), the endochorion (EN, 500-700nm) and the exochorion (EX, 300-500nm) (adapted from Margaritis et al. 1980). Chorion layers are easily removed with 3% sodium hypochlorite (50% bleach) treatment with minimal adverse effects on the embryo. B) Scanning EM images of dechorionated non-EPS treated embryos (control) revealed a roughened plaque-like coating of the surface consistent with previous descriptions of the waxy layer. EPS treated embryos show a remarkably smooth and homogeneous surface, indicating removal of the waxy plaque layer and exposure of the vitelline membrane.