Why Cryopreservation is Needed

Cryopreservation protects against catastrophic losses caused by such events as disease outbreaks, fire, breeding cessation, or genetic contamination and it eliminates the necessity of maintaining stocks "on the shelf" when those stocks are not being actively used. The cryopreserved stocks are pathogen free and can be recovered pathogen free. Cryopreservation is safely done for an indefinite time so stocks can be preserved from the effects of genetic drift. The cost of cryopreserving a stock is often less than the annual cost of maintaining the stock on the shelf.
  

Two Decades of Experience

For two decades The Jackson Laboratory has maintained and managed a successful cryopreservation program. Inbred and mutant stocks of mice have been routinely frozen and recovered from the world's largest resource of frozen embryos.

Many strains have limited and infrequent demand. It is not practical to maintain strains as actively breeding colonies if the demand is only occasional. We do, however, make the strains available when needed for research purposes. Upon receipt of an order, mice from cryopreserved strains can be recovered from frozen embryos or sperm. It usually takes up to 6 months, depending on the genotype of the embryos or sperm and reproduction capability of the strain to re-establish a sufficiently sized breeding colony from which mice of the desired genotype can be distributed.
 

Features of the Resource

Cryopreserved stocks are backed up by storage of embryos or sperm in liquid nitrogen (-196°C) at two remote sites. Maintained properly in liquid nitrogen containers it is believed that embryos and sperm can be safely stored for centuries.

Viability of frozen embryos upon thawing varies with the strain and for many strains usually exceeds 85%.

In response to inquiries from researchers throughout the scientific community, The Jackson Laboratory extends its cryopreservation service to researchers who need a proven reliable service to protect valuable stocks of mice.

For further information, schedules, and prices:

Phone: 1-800-422-MICE or fax (207) 288-6150