# An Innovative Device Integrating Cryopreservation, Storage, and Artificial Insemination of Mouse Sperm

> **NIH NIH R44** · PARATECHS CORP. · 2020 · $576,547

## Abstract

SUMMARY
ParaTechs Corporation aims to provide researchers with advanced technology and methods to simplify
procedures for laboratory animal models. While actively supporting efforts to ‘reduce, replace and refine’ animal
use, ParaTechs provides safe and efficient alternatives for surgical procedures. We have already brought to
market a nonsurgical embryo transfer device (NSETTM) which replaces surgical embryo transfers with a
nonsurgical method that takes only seconds and does not require anesthesia. We have developed a new
protocol for non-surgical artificial insemination (AI) of mice which replaces existing protocols for surgical AI and
is a technical advancement for existing nonsurgical AI protocols. We plan to use this newly developed protocol
to revolutionize the process of archiving and global distribution of mouse models through a novel sperm
cryopreservation and strain recovery system.
The use of mouse strains in research is one of the most important tools used to study mammalian gene function.
While hundreds of thousands of mouse strains have been catalogued and cryopreserved, sharing of strains is
becoming increasingly difficult as regulatory constraints and the cost of shipping live animals increase. We can
solve this problem and provide a technically superior alternative with the cryopreservation and insemination (C&I)
device. This system will integrate storage and shipment of cryopreserved sperm with non-surgical AI. The device
will be suitable for storage of cryopreserved sperm, will be shippable, will allow viable sperm recovery upon
thawing, and then will be used directly for non-surgical AI. This device will eliminate the need to perform in vitro
fertilization (IVF) upon thawing of cryopreserved sperm; greatly reducing the number of mice required for the
procedure and replacing a surgical method of artificial insemination, both of which promote animal health and
welfare.
Therefore, the goals of this project are to develop protocols for the C&I device to optimize efficiency and ease of
use, to test the parameters required for storage and shipping, and expand utility of the device to embryo storage
and transfer. This new technological breakthrough will provide an alternative to cryorecovery of mouse strains
by in vitro fertilization methods, the currently preferred but technically challenging and labor intensive strain
recovery method. In doing so, the C&I device will provide a substantial cost savings to researchers and a
convenient method for shipping and strain recovery. The C&I device will replace a technically challenging and
labor intensive recovery method, culminating in a fast and easy way to share research models between
institutions around the world.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9985205
- **Project number:** 5R44MH122117-03
- **Recipient organization:** PARATECHS CORP.
- **Principal Investigator:** Barbara Jean Stone
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $576,547
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-04-15 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9985205

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9985205, An Innovative Device Integrating Cryopreservation, Storage, and Artificial Insemination of Mouse Sperm (5R44MH122117-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9985205. Licensed CC0.

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