Somatic cells nuclear transfer (SCNT) is a useful tool in studies of developmental biology and animal cloning. However, SCNT experiments only are allowed to skilled technical experts. In this experiment, laser-assisted zona pellucida piercing tool (LASER) was applied in murine SCNT. LASER minimized the use of piezo-driven micromanipulator (PIEZO), reducing chances of problems caused by PIEZO pulses. LASER reduced time that took to pierce zona pellucida in removal of nucleus from oocyte and somatic cell injection, which might have taken longer time with PIEZO. Time and difficulties that took researcher of equivalent skilled for their experiments were decreased with LASER, and this might affect the improvement of embryonic development. (LASER, 6.2% versus PIEZO, 2.9%; P<0.05). Thus, these data support that the use of LASER can be used for zona pellucida piercing in murine SCNT program as an alternative to PIEZO.

• Sangho Roh(Department of Craniomaxillofacial Reconstructive Science Major, Dental Research Institute, and CLS21, Seoul National University School of Dentistry) Corresponding author
• Hoin Kang(Department of Craniomaxillofacial Reconstructive Science Major, Dental Research Institute, and CLS21, Seoul National University School of Dentistry)
• Young-ju Choi(Department of Craniomaxillofacial Reconstructive Science Major, Dental Research Institute, and CLS21, Seoul National University School of Dentistry)
• Jihye Sung(Department of Craniomaxillofacial Reconstructive Science Major, Dental Research Institute, and CLS21, Seoul National University School of Dentistry)
• Sang Kyu Park(Department of Craniomaxillofacial Reconstructive Science Major, Dental Research Institute, and CLS21, Seoul National University School of Dentistry)
• Byung-Moo Min(Department of Craniomaxillofacial Reconstructive Science Major, Dental Research Institute, and CLS21, Seoul National University School of Dentistry)