Oct 25, 2022
By: Diane Broek
A small storage fee is charged after the first anniversary of the production of your GP (Genetic Preservation) or ETB (Express Tissue Bank). Clients often ask if they should store their GP and ETB banks at home, in their farm LN2 (liquid nitrogen) tank to avoid paying the storage fees. The quick answer is no. A farm tank and the storage tanks at TOG (Trans Ova Genetics) are completely different.
Reason Number 1: The storage at TOG occurs in a vapor phase vat, which reduces the chance of picking up a virus, etc. during storage. Yes, you heard me. Although LN2 is very cold (-193 degrees C) it can still harbor viruses that could contaminate your samples. Your farm tank will store the samples immersed in LN2. A vapor phase vat stores them in the vapors just above the actual LN2.
Reason Number 2: In general, the LN2 in your farm tank is quite dirty. You have gone in and out of that tank many times, and sediment will build up from canes of semen or embryos. An on-farm tank is not ideal in terms of keeping your samples “clean”. Unless you scrupulously clean/sterilize your tanks with Vircon every year, and use only virgin liquid nitrogen, I do not recommend it. At TOG, we do use virgin liquid nitrogen to fill our tanks and keep the tanks in clean, climate-controlled areas.
Reason Number 3: The LN2 tanks/vats at TOG are monitored on a daily basis so that we are alerted to any catastrophic reductions in LN2 that could indicate a tank failure is imminent. That gives us time to move items if we need to, to secure storage. Is your tank on the farm monitored multiple times per day with level alarms?
Reason Number 4: Cell lines and tissue samples are stored in cryo vials, not straws, like semen and embryos. Handling of these items is very specialized and requires training and the appropriate equipment. It would be very difficult to handle the vials properly in an on-farm situation, were you to ship them or transfer them. Inappropriate handling can result in lack of performance by the cells to produce embryos after cloning.
We encourage you to send in your questions for our next blog, which you will find on the TOG social channels once a month. Thank you!
Diane M. Broek
Advanced Technology Sales and Production Manager
Diane.broek@transova.com
Learn more about Trans Ova’s Genetic Preservation and Cloning services in our blog or on our website.