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A human-based assisted reproduction protocol for the menstruating spiny mouse, Acomys cahirinus. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0244411. [PMID: 33370773 PMCID: PMC7769615 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The Egyptian or Common spiny mouse (A. cahirinus) is the first rodent species to show human-like menstruation and spontaneous decidualisation. We consider from these, and its other, human-like characteristics that this species will be a more useful and appropriate small animal model for human reproductive studies. Based on this, there is a need to develop specific laboratory-based assisted reproduction protocols including superovulation, in-vitro fertilisation, embryo cryopreservation and transfer to expand and make this model more relevant. Because standard rodent superovulation has not been successful in the spiny mouse, we have selected to test a human protocol. Female spiny mice will receive a subcutaneous GnRH agonist implant and be allowed to recover. Menstrual cycle lengths will then be allowed to stabilize prior to ovarian stimulation. After recovery, females will be injected IP once a day for 4 days with a FSH analogue, to induce follicular growth, and on day 5 will be injected IP with a hCG analogue to trigger ovulation. Females will either be culled 36hrs after trigger to collect oocytes or immediately paired with a stud male and two cell embryos collected 48hrs later. Mature oocytes will be inseminated using fresh spiny mouse spermatozoa and all in-vitro grown and in-vivo collected two cell embryos will be cryopreserved using methods developed in a close spiny mouse relative, the Mongolian gerbil. For embryo transfer, vitrified embryos will be rapidly warmed and non-surgically transferred to surrogate mice. Surrogates will be monitored until pregnancy is apparent (roughly 30 days) and then left undisturbed until birth, 38-40 days after transfer. By successfully developing robust assisted reproduction protocols in A. cahirinus we will be able to use this rodent as a more effective model for human reproduction.
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Mochida K. Development of assisted reproductive technologies in small animal species for their efficient preservation and production. J Reprod Dev 2020; 66:299-306. [PMID: 32307339 PMCID: PMC7470897 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2020-033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) are widely used in the animal industry, human clinics, and for basic research. In small laboratory animal species such as mice, ARTs are essential for the production of animals for experiments, the preservation of genetic resources, and for the generation of new strains of genetically modified animals. The RIKEN BioResource Research Center (BRC) is one of the largest repositories of such animal bioresources, and maintains approximately 9,500 strains of mice with a variety of genetic backgrounds. We have sought to devise ARTs specific to the reproductive and physiological characteristics of each strain. Such ARTs include superovulation, in vitro fertilization (IVF), the cryopreservation of embryos and spermatozoa, transportation of cryopreserved materials and embryo transfer (ET). Of these, superovulation likely has the most influence on animal production because it determines the quantity of starting material for other ARTs. Superovulation using anti-inhibin serum combined with estrous synchronization has resulted in approximately a three-fold increase in production efficiency with IVF-ET in the C57BL/6J strain. Wild-derived strains are important as genetically diverse resources for murine rodents (Genus Mus), and many are unique to the BRC. We have also successfully developed ARTs for more than 50 wild-derived strains, which have been cryopreserved for future use. Our work to improve and develop ARTs for mice and other small laboratory species will contribute to the cost-effectiveness of routine operations at repository centers, and to the provision of high quality animals for research use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiji Mochida
- RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan
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Nagatomo H, Yao T, Araki Y, Mizutani E, Wakayama T. Agarose capsules as new tools for protecting denuded mouse oocytes/embryos during handling and freezing-thawing and supporting embryonic development in vivo. Sci Rep 2017; 7:17960. [PMID: 29263435 PMCID: PMC5738428 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-18365-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Oocytes without a zona pellucida (ZP) often occur as a result of congenital or operational effects, but they are difficult to handle, and embryonic survival is low. Such zona-free (ZF) oocytes are therefore not used in clinics or laboratories. Furthermore, in the laboratory, removal of the ZP is often necessary for genetic manipulation by viral infection or twin production by blastomere separation, but adverse effects on development have been reported. It would therefore be extremely valuable if the embryo could be covered with a structure similar to that of the ZP. In this study, we sought to determine whether an agarose capsule could serve as a substitute for the ZP. Our results indicate that embryos derived from these agarose capsules were able to develop normally, and could be transplanted to obtain viable offspring, without having to remove the agarose capsule. Furthermore, before compaction, the agarose capsule embryos exhibited good freezing tolerance, and survival rate was extremely high compared to ZF embryos. Thus, agarose capsules represent a valuable tool for utilizing oocytes and embryos that lack a ZP, both in a clinical and livestock setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroaki Nagatomo
- COC Promotion Center, University of Yamanashi, 4-4-37 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi, Japan. .,Advanced Biotechnology Center, University of Yamanashi, 4-4-37 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi, Japan. .,Center for Life Science Research, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Japan.
| | - Tatsuma Yao
- Fuso Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd., Research and Development Center, Joto-ku, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Araki
- The Institute for Assisted Reproductive Medical Technology, Fujimi, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
| | - Eiji Mizutani
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, 4-4-37 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi, Japan.,Division of Stem Cell Therapy, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Teruhiko Wakayama
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, 4-4-37 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi, Japan.,Advanced Biotechnology Center, University of Yamanashi, 4-4-37 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi, Japan
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Mochida K, Hasegawa A, Li MW, Fray MD, Kito S, Vallelunga JM, Lloyd KCK, Yoshiki A, Obata Y, Ogura A. High osmolality vitrification: a new method for the simple and temperature-permissive cryopreservation of mouse embryos. PLoS One 2013; 8:e49316. [PMID: 23341870 PMCID: PMC3547031 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0049316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2012] [Accepted: 10/07/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Procedures for cryopreserving embryos vary considerably, each having its specific advantages and disadvantages in terms of technical feasibility, embryo survival yield, temperature permissibility and species- or strain-dependent applicability. Here we report a high osmolality vitrification (HOV) method that is advantageous in these respects. Cryopreservation by vitrification is generally very simple, but, unlike slow freezing, embryos should be kept at a supercooling temperature (below –130°C) to avoid cryodamage. We overcame this problem by using an HOV solution containing 42.5% (v/v) ethylene glycol, 17.3% (w/v) Ficoll and 1.0 M sucrose. This solution is more viscous than other cryopreservation solutions, but easy handling of embryos was assured by employing a less viscous equilibration solution before vitrification. Most (>80%) embryos cryopreserved in this solution survived at –80°C for at least 30 days. Normal mice were recovered even after intercontinental transportation in a conventional dry-ice package for 2–3 days, indicating that special containers such as dry shippers with liquid nitrogen vapor are unnecessary. The HOV solution could also be employed for long-term storage in liquid nitrogen, as with other conventional cryoprotectants. Finally, we confirmed that this new vitrification method could be applied successfully to embryos of all six strains of mice we have tested so far. Thus, our HOV method provides an efficient and reliable strategy for the routine cryopreservation of mouse embryos in animal facilities and biomedical laboratories, and for easy and cheap transportation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ming-Wen Li
- Mouse Biology Program, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Martin D. Fray
- Medical Research Council Mary Lyon Centre, Harwell Science and Innovation Centre, Oxon, United Kingdom
| | - Seiji Kito
- National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Chiba-shi, Chiba, Japan
| | - Jadine M. Vallelunga
- Mouse Biology Program, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - K. C. Kent Lloyd
- Mouse Biology Program, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | | | - Yuichi Obata
- RIKEN BioResource Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Atsuo Ogura
- RIKEN BioResource Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Science, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- The Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- * E-mail:
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Gerbils. THE LABORATORY RABBIT, GUINEA PIG, HAMSTER, AND OTHER RODENTS 2012. [PMCID: PMC7158315 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-380920-9.00052-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
The gerbil is usually nonaggressive and is one of the easiest rodents to maintain and handle. Its disposition, curious nature, relative freedom from naturally occurring infectious diseases, and adaptability to its environment have contributed to its popularity as a laboratory animal. Gerbils are found in deserts and semiarid geographical regions of the world. The Mongolian gerbils that are available today originated from 20 pairs of captured animals that were maintained in 1935 in a closed, random-bred colony at the Kitasato Institute in Japan. Gerbils have several unique anatomical and physiological features. Mature gerbils are smaller than rats, but larger than mice. Mongolian gerbils are attracted to saliva and use salivary cues to discriminate between siblings and nonsiblings, and females use oral cues in the selection of sociosexual partners. Gerbils have been used as experimental models in a number of areas of biomedical research. Gerbils are excellent subjects for laboratory animal research as they are susceptible to bacterial, viral, and parasitic pathogens that affect humans and other species. Gerbils may have spontaneous seizures secondary to stress such as handling, cage change, abrupt noises, or changes in the environment. Cystic ovaries are seen commonly in female gerbils over 1 year of age. Gerbils have unique characteristics, which make them appropriate for a number of animal models. Classically, gerbils have been used in research involving stroke, parasitology, infectious diseases, epilepsy, brain development and behavior, and hearing.
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Jin B, Kusanagi K, Ueda M, Seki S, Valdez DM, Edashige K, Kasai M. Formation of extracellular and intracellular ice during warming of vitrified mouse morulae and its effect on embryo survival. Cryobiology 2008; 56:233-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2008.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2008] [Accepted: 03/25/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Zhou C, Zhou GB, Zhu SE, Hou YP, Jin F, Zhao XM, Hong QH. Open-pulled Straw (OPS) Vitrification of Mouse Hatched Blastocysts. Anim Biotechnol 2007; 18:45-54. [PMID: 17364443 DOI: 10.1080/10495390600826412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
This study was first employed to investigate the developmental potential of mouse hatched blastocyts (HBs) vitrified by a two-step open-pulled straw (OPS) method. HBs were obtained by culture of morulae in vitro. First, the embryos were placed in four cryprotectant solutions - that is, 10% ethylene glycol (EG), 10%E + 10%D (10% EG and 10% dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) in mPBS), EFS30 (30% EG, Ficoll, and sucrose) and EDFS30 (15% EG, 15% DMSO, Ficoll, and sucrose)--at 25 degrees C for 0.5 to 10 min, respectively, to determine their optimal survival after rapid dilution in 0.5 M sucrose. Secondly, based on the above best survival, the embryos were plunged into liquid nitrogen after first pretreatment in 10%E for 0.5 min and then 0.5 min equilibration in EFS30 (Group 1), or 10%E + 10%D and EDFS30 for 0.5 min, respectively (Group 2). When warming, three methods were used to dilute the cryoprotectants from the vitrified embryos. The embryos were assessed by the re-expansion of the blastocoel or development to term. The result showed that all the vitrified-warmed HBs got high in vitro survival rates (83.7% to 98.9%). The highest in vitro survival rates (87.8% in Group 1, 98.9% in Group 2) were obtained when the vitrified embryos were diluted first in 0.3 M sucrose for 5 min, then in 0.15 M sucrose for 2 min (method C). When the vitrified embryos diluted with method C were transferred, their survival rate in vivo (35.5% to 42.2% of the total) were similar to (P > 0.05) that of control (45.7%). These results demonstrate OPS method was highly efficient for the cryopreservation of mouse HBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Zhou
- Laboratory of Animal Embryonic Biotechnology, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, PR China
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