Cryo-Archive from the MMRRC at UC Davis

Who can I contact for more information?

If you cannot find the answer to your question(s) here, you can always get more help by calling the MMRRC at UC Davisat (530) 757-3287, sending a fax to (530) 757-3284, or sending an email to mmrrc@ucdavis.edu.

Please also review the Cryo-recovery and Distribution of Cryo-material pages.

What is the Distribution fee for a cryo-recovered litter or cryo-preserved germplasm?

Distribution fees vary depending on the strain. Fees for products and services are listed near the bottom of each Strain Detail Sheet in the catalog. 

Please note that there are additional handling and/or crate fees. Once the order is placed online, an order estimate will be generated and emailed to you.

For shipping charges, we ask that you provide your own specialized courier account number to cover the shipment of the recovered litter of mice or cryo-preserved germplasm.

What form of payment do you accept?

For domestic customers, we accept purchase orders (PO), credit card, and checks. For international customers, we accept only credit card, check, and wire transfers. We do require billing information before processing your order. Please visit our payment information page for additional information and forms.

Can commercial, for-profit entities obtain MMRRC mouse lines?

This varies depending on the mouse line. Some strains are available to non-profit institutions only. Please see the strain detail page for information for information on whether the line is available to commercial entities.

After I order my cryo-preserved sperm or embryos, how long before I receive them?

Cryo-preserved sperm and embryos are ready to ship out as soon as we receive the online order, MTA/COU, and billing information. The actual shipment date depends on the availability of a dry shipper and whether customs documentation is required (for international orders only).

After I order my cryo-recovered litter, how long before I receive the mice?

Recovered litters are usually available to ship in 3 to 4 months after we receive the online order, MTA/COU, and billing information.

Please view our Resuscitation Timeline for more details.

Once I know which mouse strain I want, how do I order them?

To place an order, please see: http://www.mmrrc.org/catalog/requestform_helpdoc.php

This includes a link to our catalog search: http://www.mmrrc.org/catalog/StrainCatalogSearchForm.php

You can view general distribution: http://www.mmrrc.org/catalog/distrInfo.php

If you need assistance placing an order, please call the MMRRC customer service center at 1-800-910-2291 (North America) or 530-757-5710 (International). You may also email them at service@mmrrc.org.

Where can I find more information on how cryo-preserved germplasm is shipped?

Cryo-preserved germplasm is shipped via FedEx (domestic) or a specialized courier such as World Courier (international). All samples are shipped in an SC4/2V nitrogen vapor shipper (dry shipper). Dry shippers are prepared for shipment by filling with liquid nitrogen, which is absorbed into the lining. Liquid nitrogen not absorbed after 24 hours is poured off before shipping. The shipper is called a “dry” shipper because it no longer contains a liquid. An adequately prepared Dry Shipper is not considered a Dangerous Good and is not restricted. It does not contain liquid nitrogen. It does contain vaporous nitrogen.

Additional information on the SC4/2V dry shipper used by the MMRRC at UC Davis can be found at: http://files.chartindustries.com/CryoShipper-ML-AI0021-A-3b.pdf. Dry shippers are quality controlled on a regular basis by MMRRC at UC Davis staff. A dry shipper in proper working order will remain charged for at least 7 days, allowing for plenty of time for customs clearance or other delays, if any.

Where can I find the protocols used for cryo-preservation and thawing?

For cryo-preservation and thawing of embryos in plastic semen straws with propylene glycol, use the Mouse Embryo Cryopreservation protocol. Nearly all of the MMRRC frozen embryos shipped out using this protocol at UC Davis.

For thawing embryos preserved in cryo-vials with DMSO, use the 8-Cell Slow Rate Cryo Thawing protocol. A few of the older preserved lines, and lines redistributed to us from the Taconic/Albany MMRRC, used this method; however, we are re-archiving these lines with the newer process above.

For the cryo-preservation of mouse sperm, we use Mouse Sperm Cryopreservation protocol.

For IVF using cryo-preserved mouse sperm, use the IVF Protocol.

How many embryos or sperm will I receive for my order?

One aliquot of embryos will contain 40-50 embryos in one or two straws. An aliquot has sufficient embryos to transfer to at least two recipients.

One aliquot of sperm is one straw or vial with sufficient sperm to recover at least one litter of mice, per provided protocols, when performed at the MMRRC facility.

The MMRRC makes no guarantee concerning the success of these procedures when performed outside the MMRRC facilities. Neither gender nor genotype ratios is guaranteed.

When will I receive a health report if I have ordered a cryo-recovered litter?

There is no single report available for our maternity room (located in our M3 facility) as we do not have sentinels in that room; instead, all embryo recipients are screened. A report will be provided from the embryo recipients once the pups are weaned, and the recipients are screened. Testing and report preparation takes about 2 weeks post-weaning and submission.

The M3 facility is a shower-in barrier facility with autoclaved or gassed in supplies, including clothing. Staff wear masks,hair bonnets, and gloves. Mice are housed in Thoren caging systems with change stations. Entry is limited to approved animal care and transgenic core personnel; primary investigators and technicians are not allowed in this barrier facility. All mice are derived in by embryo transfer. For more information on our barrier facility, including investigator, shipping contact, and campus veterinarian, please see Summary of M3 Practices.

How should I note the mice in publication, and acknowledge the donating party and MMRRC?

Near the top of the strain detail page of each cell line is a green “copy citation” button; click this button and paste the strain-specific citation where needed. This citation includes the strain name, RRID, repository, and donating party.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at mmrrc@ucdavis.edu for any questions regarding acknowledgment for MMRRC strains. We also encourage you to contact us when you have published using an MMRRC strain.

Can I send mice I made from MMRRC sperm or embryos to another organization?

In general, MMRRC policy prevents an original recipient of MMRRC materials (e.g., ES cells, chimera, or germline-confirmed mice) from sending or sharing that material with another (third party) investigator (“third party transfer”). Please see the MMRRC’s Third Party Transfers policy for more information.

How do I obtain assistance with biological, husbandry, breeding, or genotyping questions for a particular strain?

The MMRRC at UC Davis provides technical services for all products and services obtained from it. We can be contacted by emailing mmrrc@ucdavis.edu or calling 1-530-754-6677.

How much are handling and shipping fees for live mice?

Domestic shipments (U.S., not including Alaska, Hawaii, or insular territories) are subject to a $40 handling fee per live mouse shipment and $89.78 per crate used. All international shipments (plus Alaska, Hawaii, and insular territories) are subject to a $330.14 exportation fee (including preparation of customs paperwork) and $179.56 crate fees per live mouse shipment. Special packaging requirements will incur extra costs. (Note: Mexico and Canada are international shipments requiring customs documentation.)

A specialized courier, such as World Courier or Validated Courier, is required for the shipment of live animals. Estimated domestic courier shipping fees are $600 and international courier shipping fees are $1,600, but don’t hesitate to get in touch with the courier directly for a more accurate quote.