In Vitro Fertilization



Regulatory Compliance Cost

Online Ordering

You will need the following information to order
  • PI name, address and contact info
  • Account Number
  • IACUC protocol number
  • Genetic background
  • Allele name
  • Source and # of straws for frozen sperm
  • Number and age of males for live mice




Success Rate for In Vitro Fertilization

Frequently Asked Questions

Why In Vitro Fertilization?

     In vitro fertilization is used to retrieve cryopreserved sperm, when there is a behavioral or physical obstacle to mating, or when fertilization needs to be observed. Artificial insemination is not used in mice because it requires larger quantities of sperm than can normally be collected.
     Consult with us for recommendations on how to get that old male to mate. The best strategy is prevention: keep your stocks of mice young and reproductive. Males are sacrificed to collect sperm. Thus, attempts at natural reproduction should be completely and thoroughly exhausted before reqiesting IVF. .
     If IVF fails, there is recourse to injection of sperm (IntraCytoplasmic Sperm Injection or ICSI). ICSI can be used to rescue valuable stocks. In fact, ICSI has been shown to work on sperm retrieved from dead animals, as well as from freeze-dried sperm. If the last male of a valuable stock dies, place the animal in the fridge and call us immediately.