Birth of mice from vitrified/warmed 2-cell embryos transported at a cold temperature.
Cryopreservation of 2-cell embryos is an effective technology for storage of genetically engineered mouse strains. Transport of genetically engineered mice between laboratories has frequently been performed using such cryopreserved 2-cell embryos. However, the receiving laboratory requires proficient skills and special instruments to obtain live young from cryopreserved and transported embryos. Therefore, in this study, we tried to address the storage and transport of vitrified/warmed 2-cell embryos at a cold temperature. In cold storage experiments, the development rates of 2-cell embryos stored in M2 medium for 24, 48 and 72 h into blastocysts were relatively high (83%, 63% and 43%, respectively). Although, 2-cell embryos stored in PB1 and mWM maintained the developmental potency for 24h, the rates were markedly decreased to low levels after 48 h (PB1: 0%; mWM: 5%). In transport experiments, many pups were obtained from vitrified/warmed 2-cell embryos transported at a cold temperature in all receiving laboratories (incidence of successful development: 49%; 249/511). In summary, short-term storage and transport of vitrified/warmed 2-cell embryos in M2 medium at a cold temperature can maintain their ability to develop into live young.
Takeo
Toru
T
Division of Reproductive Engineering, Center for Animal Resources and Development (CARD), Kumamoto University, 2-2-1 Honjo, Kumamoto 860-0811, Japan.
Kaneko
Takehito
T
Haruguchi
Yukie
Y
Fukumoto
Kiyoko
K
Machida
Hiromi
H
Koga
Mika
M
Nakagawa
Yoshiko
Y
Takeshita
Yumi
Y
Matsuguma
Toyokazu
T
Tsuchiyama
Shuuji
S
Shimizu
Norihiko
N
Hasegawa
Takanori
T
Goto
Motohito
M
Miyachi
Hitoshi
H
Anzai
Masayuki
M
Nakatsukasa
Ena
E
Nomaru
Koji
K
Nakagata
Naomi
N
D000818:Animals; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D003451:Cryoprotective Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology*; D005260:Female; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal; D013997:Time Factors; D014186:Transportation
D003451:Cryoprotective Agents