Murine Sperm Cryopreservation
Acceptance to cryopreserve and store strains is determined by the Scientific Advisory and Access Committee of the APF. Unique strains and strains with high value to the community will be given preference.
Cryopreservation is available at no charge for strains that are distributable to other researchers within Australia. The ongoing maintenance costs, e.g. liquid nitrogen, are also covered by the Enabling grant. However, the depositor will need to pay for shipping of the mice to the APF and the caging of the mice for up to one week, if required.
For those strains that are not freely distributable depositors will be charged for the cryopreservation, on going maintenance (a yearly fee) and for shipment.
A fee will not be charged for strains on delayed release however if the block on distribution is not removed at the completion of the agreed period of time, the depositor will be charged for cryopreservation and ongoing maintenance costs.
Requests for cryopreservation will be processed in the order the requests are received.
Mouse Requirements
10 male mice, 10-16 weeks of age are required. This is the optimal age for sperm cryopreservation but older mice may be cryopreserved depending upon the onset of reproductive decline. Approximately 11 straws of sperm will be frozen from each male.
Mice will be shipped to either facility at the researcher or animal facilities expense. Shipping details will be provided once the strain has been approved for cryopreservation.
Quality Control
For each cryopreservation session, sperm from a control strain is also cryopreserved. This control sample is later thawed and tested for IVF efficiency to provide quality control for the cryopreservation procedure. One straw from each strain frozen will be thawed and the sperm assayed for viability, structure and motility to provide further quality control. Currently, the NHMRC has not provided funds to test all strains cryopreserved by IVF. However, fertilization efficiency can be determined if the researcher wishes to pay for the procedure.
Requests for cryopreservation will be processed in the order the requests are received.
Considerations for Cryopreservation of Murine Strains
The process for the cryopreservation of murine strains is initiated through the completion and submission of the strain information form through this web site or by contacting the Curator by email (stuart.read@anu.edu.au). Once your request has been received and processed by the Curator the researcher/institution will be required to sign a Material transfer Agreement (MTA) or a Service Agreement provided by the APF. Your request will then be reviewed by the Scientific Access and Advisory Board of the APF.
To request a strain to be cryopreserved please download an MTA form, a cryopreservation request form and a genotyping form.
Return the completed forms to Stuart Read (preferably by electronic submission email or web page).
Address:
Fax: +61 2 6125 1381
Australian Phenomics Facility
Hugh Ennor Building (117)
Garran Road
ACTON ACT 2601
Email: stuart.read@anu.edu.au
Stuart will then contact you to organise shipments etc. It may take up to 3 months to complete the cryopreservation of your strain depending upon current demand for the service.