ParaTechs Corporation aims to provide researchers with advanced technology and methods to simplify procedures for laboratory animal models. This proposal is a direct response to PAR-21-225; Novel Tools andDevices for Animal Research Facilities and to Support the Care of Animal Models. The goal is to improvevivarium management through cryopreservation, strategic breeding, and organizational approaches currentlyunavailable for rats. The rat artificial insemination system (RAIS) is a complete rat sperm cryorecovery system.This system will revolutionize cryopreservation practices and vivarium management for rat models. First, spermis cryopreserved in a "Cryodropper" device, which will quickly and easily freeze rat sperm. Second, sperm isrecovered in a novel motility enhancing device (MED) which selects for motile sperm, removes cryoprotectants,and concentrates the sperm sample. The third part of the system is a novel device, which is used to transferconcentrated motile sperm to the uterine horn of recipient female rats. This non-surgical insemination device(NSID) provides a non-surgical alternative to traditional surgical artificial insemination and requires no anesthesiaor analgesia. Each innovative part of the system provides a critical function for rat cryorecovery and togetherprovide a cohesive system for rapid, inexpensive, and efficient vivarium management. Feasibility of the RAISwill be proven in the following Aims; 1) optimize the Cryodropper for rat sperm cryopreservation, 2) manufactureand test the MED for motile sperm enrichment and recovery, and 3) manufacture and test the rat NSID devicewith fresh and cryopreserved sperm. The system will provide substantial cost savings versus contractedcryopreservation services and increase the simplicity and reliability of rat sperm cryopreservation procedures.RAIS will directly benefit the welfare of laboratory animals by reducing the number of animals kept in idlecolonies, improving vivarium management options, and protecting rat models from catastrophic loss due tonatural disasters, genetic drift, disease, and breeding problems. RAIS is designed to provide both a reduction inanimal numbers and a refinement to minimize animal suffering and improve welfare; meeting the requirementsof the 3Rs of animal research.
Public Health Relevance Statement: Narrative
Rodents are the most prevalent animals used for biomedical research and rat models are superior for use in
toxicology, behavior, and physiology. This proposal is in direct response to the NIH funding opportunity
announcement PAR-21-225 to develop novel tools and devices for animal research facilities and to support the
care of animal models. ParaTechs proposes to develop and manufacture a rat artificial insemination system
(RAIS), a complete rat sperm cryorecovery system, which will reduce the number of animals kept in idle colonies,
improve vivarium management options, and protect animal models from catastrophic loss due to natural
disasters, genetic drift, disease, and breeding problems.
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