Increased male reproductive success in Ts65Dn “Down syndrome” mice

• DOI: 10.1007/s00335-010-9300-8
• Publication Date: 2010-11-25T01:50:32Z
• Authors: Clara S. Moore; Charles Hawkins; Arianna Franca; Ann Lawler; Benjamin Devenney; Ishita Das; Roger H. Reeves
• Keywords: Trisomy; Human genetics

The Ts65Dn mouse is trisomic for orthologs of about half the genes on Hsa21. A number phenotypes in these mice parallel those humans with trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), including cognitive deficits due to hippocampal malfunction that are sufficiently similar human "therapies" developed making their way clinical trials. However, impact model limited by availability. cannot be completely inbred and males generally considered sterile. Females have few, small litters they exhibit poor care offspring, frequently abandoning entire litters. Here we report identification selective breeding rare fertile from two working colonies mice. Trisomic offspring can propagated natural matings or vitro fertilization (IVF) produce large cohorts closely related siblings. use a robust euploid strain as recipients fertilized embryos IVF female greatly improves husbandry. Extra zygotes cultured blastocyst stage were used create embryonic stem (ES) cells littermates. We parameters cryopreserving sperm it IVF. Use cryopreserved provides additional flexibility choice oocyte donors different genetic backgrounds, facilitating rapid production complex crosses. This approach increases power this important interrogate modifying effects disomic contribute phenotypes.