Cryopreservation allows long-term storage of embryos and sperm, providing a convenient way to preserve, protect and transport mouse lines for use in research. Archiving scientifically relevant mouse lines also adheres to good animal welfare practices by removing the need for continued animal breeding and is integral to any comprehensive colony management programme.
Running bi-annually since 2004, this course provides practical experience in murine embryo and spermatozoa freezing techniques routinely used at MRC Harwell and a simple, robust in vitro fertilisation procedure. The course will also cover the basic laboratory skills required when working in an assisted reproductive biology environment such as pipetting, weighing, microscope use, and embryo handling.
Who is this for?
Researchers
Senior animal technicians
PhD students
Following this course, you will have:
Practical experience of sperm harvesting and freezing/thawing
A clear understanding to set up and in vitro fertilisation session using both frozen and freshly harvested sperm
Practical experience of oocyte and embryo harvesting for in vitro fertilisation and embryo freezing, respectively
Practical experience of embryo cryopreservation/thawing using a simple vitrification method
An understanding of surgical embryo transfer, including some practical experience of pre-operative aseptic techniques and sub-cuticular suturing
Practical experience of non-surgical embryo transfer techniques
An understanding of the current methods used for handling and shipping samples and managing a cryo-archive, as well as an overview of blastocyst genotyping
