Live rederivation
Introduction
The rederivation of mouse lines through embryo transfer is used to establish Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) mice from mice of any compromised health status. Pre-implantation embryos are transferred into pseudopregnant females in an SPF facility.
The efficiency of a rederivation will depend on the individual strain, especially the robustness and fecundity of the strain. Usually inbred mice will yield less viable embryos than a hybrid/outbred strain.
Embryos used for rederivation are produced via IVF.
Excess embryos from the IVF after the embryo transfers will be cryopreserved.
The number of times TASQ will need to perform a rederivation will vary greatly between strains. The major factors in the success of the rederivation are the age of the females, the strain background and the fertility of the males.
Females to be used must be aged between 8 and 16 weeks. At this age the females are more receptive to the superovulation regime, therefore producing more viable eggs.
Males must be over 8 weeks of age. Proven fertility is preferred but not necessary.
For one round of IVF, a minimum of 8-10 females and 2 males are required.
If these numbers are not available, please contact TASQ for consultation for a different strategy.
Wild type females can be purchased on the researcher’s behalf at an additional cost.