II. General Considerations for the Submission of Mutant Mice to a Repository

Please note that repositories selected by a PI and/or his/her institution should be using distribution policies consistent with NIH policies for the distribution of any NIH-funded research resources.

1. Responsibilities of Donating Investigator (DI) or mutant mouse strain submitter
   1. The DI shall provide PCR assay protocols/primers, tissue, DNA or related research tools to the repository for PCR assay and genotyping of the mutant mouse strain.
   2. The DI shall provide a current health certificate for the submitted mutant mouse strain from their institution. The Health Status of the strain may not affect the acceptance status of the strain; it is solely to assist the repository with managing the risk of contamination of their facilities.
2. Mouse transfer and shipping to a repository (or requesting investigator)
   1. Each repository has developed its own shipping and receiving policies. Therefore, the DI will contact the specific repository and obtain instructions for the shipping and transfer of the mutant mouse strain. If shipping between institutions is arranged, representatives from the Laboratory Animal Care (or Medicine) units will need to establish contact.
   2. In general, the following guidelines can be used for mouse transfer and shipping:
      1. For mutant mouse strains submitted to a repository, the DI is encouraged to provide as many mice as possible (e.g., 10 females & 6 males, 5-12 weeks of age recommended minimum).
      2. Generally, the DI assumes all shipping costs. In the case of shipping of mice to a requesting investigator from a DI, the requesting investigator assumes all shipping costs.
      3. Upon receipt of the mutant mice, the repository confirms receipt with DI. Alternatively, the requesting investigator confirms receipt of the mice with the DI.
      4. Examples of requested information may include: Health status certificate, backcross information, genotype, genotype assay protocol, husbandry protocol if non-standard, founder# if Tg, and other information which may be necessary to maintain the strain.

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