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Long-term storage of mouse embryos at —196 °C: the effect of background radiation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 April 2009

D. G. Whittingham ,
Mary F. Lyon  and
P. H. Glenister
D. G. Whittingham
Affiliation:
MRC Mammalian Development Unit, University College London
Mary F. Lyon
Affiliation:
MRC Radiobiology Unit, Harwell, Oxon
P. H. Glenister
Affiliation:
MRC Radiobiology Unit, Harwell, Oxon
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In order to test the feasibility of preservation, of genetic stocks of mice by storage in liquid nitrogen, mouse embryos at the 8-cell stage, were frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen at – 196 °C under increased radiation exposures of 1·8×, 9× and 84× background levels for periods of 6–8 months, 10–12 and 27–29 months, the 1·8 × level being regarded as a control. Their survival rates to the blastocyst stage, and after transfer to recipient females, to foetal or liveborn stages were then compared with those of unfrozen or short term frozen control embryos. The freezing process per se caused a marked loss of viability, in comparison with the unfrozen controls, but at the 1·8× radiation level there was then no further loss in viability even at the longest storage time (27–29 months). Similarly, at the 9× radiation level there was no loss of viability during storage up to 29 months, but at the 84× level the proportions of implanted embryos and live foetuses were slightly reduced. It was not clear if this was a true effect of radiation, since it was not related to time of storage. Considering all groups, about 20–30% of the embryos originally frozen were recovered as foetuses or liveborn young. It is concluded that the preservation of genetic stocks by storage in liquid nitrogen is a feasible proposition.

Type
Research Article
Information
Genetics Research , Volume 29 , Issue 2 , April 1977 , pp. 171 - 181
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1977

References

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