Cryopreservation INSIGHTS

Use of genetically engineered rodent models in research requires maintaining the lines through some level of continuous breeding. This can be costly, labor intensive, and result in inefficient use of limited vivarium space — while leaving valuable genetic lines vulnerable to catastrophic loss and genetic drift. This Insight provides guidance on choosing between embryo or sperm cryopreservation based on the attributes of the model to be preserved....  Read More

Recent improvements in sperm cryopreservation and IVF protocols in mice established sperm cryopreservation as a reliable and efficient method for archiving and distributing genetically engineered mouse lines. Further, the ability to rapidly expand animal model colonies from frozen sperm make sperm cryopreservation a quick and effective method for the distribution and restoration of mouse lines. Sperm cryopreservation is the most common method for cryopreserving mouse lines. Sperm...  Read More

This is the second of a four-part series on the effective use of cryopreservation in maintaining genetically modified mouse and rat lines: Cryopreservation in Colony Management Introduction to Embryo Cryopreservation Sperm Cryopreservation Overview Cryopreservation Decision Tree Embryo Cryopreservation Overview Until recently, cryopreservation of two-cell stage or later stage embryos was the predominant method for preserving lines of laboratory rodent models. The methodology is relatively simple and does...  Read More