Refinements for embryo implantation surgery in the mouse: comparison of injectable and inhalant anesthesias - tribromoethanol, ketamine and isoflurane - on pregnancy and pup survival.

An essential aspect of genetically-engineered mice (GEM) is the ability to produce live animals after the appropriate injection procedure. Animals are produced by implantation of manipulated embryos into pseudopregnant females for gestation, parturition, and growth to the weaning stage. This study was carried out to test whether the anesthesia used during surgery could affect the number of pups produced.

Somatic mosaicism and allele complexity induced by CRISPR/Cas9 RNA injections in mouse zygotes.

Tyrosinase is the rate-limiting enzyme for the production of melanin pigmentation. In the mouse and other animals, homozygous null mutations in the Tyrosinase gene (Tyr) result in the absence of pigmentation, i.e.

Cryopreserved morulae can be used to efficiently generate germline-transmitting chimeras by blastocyst injection.

The production of chimeric mice is a complex process, requiring the careful coordination of tissue culture cell growth, production of a large number (30-75) of competent blastocysts and the availability of appropriately timed pseudo pregnant female mice. Failure at any of these steps can impinge upon the rapid production of chimeras. One potential improvement for the efficient generation of chimeric mice would be the utilization of cryopreserved embryos suitable for injection.