Raman spectroscopy of Xenopus laevis oocytes

This work reports on the application of Raman spectroscopy for the analysis of Xenopus laevis oocytes (stage-I). A two-color home-made microscope has been used for this investigation. In particular, a 785 nm Raman probe has been used to acquire the spontaneous Raman scattering from the oocyte cytoplasm, while a 532 nm probe has been employed to detect carotenoids through Resonant Raman Scattering. Finally, the distribution of β-carotene along a diameter of a single oocyte has been investigated.