Rodent Embryo and Sperm Rederivation

Charles River can remove adventitious organisms, such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites, from your mice and rats with our rederivation services. Your rederived animals will meet our VAF/Elite® health status and will be maintained in a biosecure environment to protect the health of your colony. We have rederived thousands of unique strains of mice and rats with 100% removal of unwanted organisms.

  • Rederivation Services

    Embryo Rederivation
    Embryo rederivation is used with homozygous mouse or rat lines with multiple genetic mutations. Non-rederived live colonies are maintained until deliverables are met. During this process, embryos are transferred into pathogen-free female mice. This service helps diminish pathogens within a colony.

    Sperm Rederivation
    Sperm rederivation is generally recommended for use with non-homozygous, single-mutation mouse lines. Currently unavailable for rat lines.

    IVF Rapid Expansion
    Rapid expansion uses IVF-based techniques to provide large quantities of mice to obtain an established rodent colony faster. After the rederivation has been completed, a comprehensive health evaluation of the redelivered mouse or rat colony will be used to confirm the success of the expansion and guarantee the rodent's health status.

    Embryo Transfer
    Mouse embryo collection and transfer techniques minimize the risk of transmitting agents that could infect the uterus and placenta. Embryo transfer decreases the risk of a foster mother rejecting pups. Embryo transfers eliminate the need for precise timing of cesarean surgery, a common obstacle with transgenic and knockout lines.

  • Rederivation Details


    The following are general animal requirements which could change due to background strain and genetic modification.

    Service
    Requirements
    Deliverables
    Estimated Timeline
    Embryo Rederivation with Health Report
    Mouse:
    • 2 males: < 6 months old
    • 10 – 15 females: 3 – 4 weeks old
    Rat:
    • 5 males: < 6 months old
    • Groups of 10 females: 6 – 15 weeks of age*
    • Minimum 10 offspring with complete health report
    • Conventional colony held until project completion
    • For homozygous X homozygous strains
    • VAF/Elite® mice or rats
    12 – 15 weeks
    Sperm Rederivation with Health Report
    Mouse:
    • 2 males: < 6 months old
    • 10 – 15 females: 3 – 4 weeks of age
    Rat:
    N/A
    • Minimum 10 offspring
    • Complete health report
    • VAF/Elite® mice
    12 – 15 weeks
    Embryo Rederivation with Homozygous Expansion Breeding
    Minimum of 5 homozygous breeding pairs
    • Minimum 10 offspring with complete health report
    • Conventional colony held until project completion
    • For homozygous x homozygous strains
    • VAF/Elite® mice or rats
    6 – 9 months

    * Multiple groups may be required

white mice

GUIDEBOOK
Rodent Model Genetic Quality Control
Learn the essentials of genetic QC programs: inbred/outbred colony quality control, transgenic rodent model creation, rederivation, and cryopreservation techniques. Download Now


Rederivation Service Flow

  1. Charles River organizes the transfer of animals to our site, where they are housed in conventional IVC cages within our embryology facilities.
  2. Once the animals are received, the Project Manager determines the objectives and strategy for the project. Results are guaranteed based on standard reproductive parameters.
  3. Technical team implements the rederivation project.
  4. ICM™ customer portal provides direct, two-way communication with the project manager during the rederivation project.
  5. Charles River arranges the shipment of animals at the end of the project or establishes a breeding colony and protocol in our facilities.


Discuss Your Project


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Rat and Mouse Rederivation

  • What is rederivation of mice and rats?

    Rederivation is the transfer of mouse embryos into a pathogen-free recipient female to ensure animal colonies have no pathogens.

  • How does Charles River's mouse and rat rederivation service work?

    We will organize the transfer of animals to our site. Once the animals are received, our project managers will determine the objectives and strategy for the project. The technical team will then implement the rodent embryo or sperm rederivation service. The ICM customer portal will provide direct, two-way communication between the customer and project manager throughout the project. Once completed, we’ll arrange shipment of animals or establish a breeding colony and protocols in our facility.

  • What supplement services are offered?

    In conjunction with rederivation, it is often advisable to cryopreserve embryos and/or sperm to provide backup in the case of a future colony loss.