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• Sperm is collected through a process called stripping where the animal is anesthetized, and sperm is physically driven out of the cloaca through abdominal massage.

Solution information

Anesthetic solution (MS222)

• 1 liter of tank water
• 1.5 grams of Syncane (tricaine methanesulfonate)
• 5-6 mL of Sodium Hydroxide 1.0N per liter of water

1. Mix this together in a tank in which the animal can fit comfortably. Test the pH of the MS222 solution and compare it with the pH of the animal’s tank water. The desired pH is 7.0 or as close as possible to the pH of the tank water.

24 Hours prior

Fast the animal for 24 hours prior to stripping to limit the amount of feces excreted during the process.

Inject with hormone: Inject male intramuscularly and dorsally with 2 IU of hCG per g of body weight.

Use 27.5- or 25-gauge needle

Before beginning anesthetization:

1. Prepare ice, three labeled tubes

2. p-1000 pipette

3. Axo-Lounge covered with damp paper towels

4. Extender solution (HBSS 200 mOsm/kg) on ice for rinsing