Cryopreservation of Primordial Germ Cells Collected from Drosophila Donor Embryos

Proceed for the cryo-preservation of the primordial germ cells or PGCs. After collecting and depositing the PGCs from the donor embryos on the surface of an embryo. Wash the transplantation needle with a cryo protective agent or CPA and load fresh CPA into the needle.

Add the loaded CPA to the PGCs deposited on the embryo while ensuring the volume of CPA is equivalent to that of the PGCs. Remove excess CPA from the cluster of PGCs one to two seconds after CPA addition. Next, empty the needle and load it with silicone oil for five seconds or longer.

Load all the collected PGCs into the needle, followed by loading silicone oil again for five seconds or longer. Ensure the PGCs are sandwiched between two layers of silicone oil. Detach the needle from the micro manipulator using soft tissue paper, blot the oil off the needle surface without touching the needle tip with the tissue.

Attach the needle to a needle holder and using vinyl tape, lock it in position at the base. Flash freeze the holder with the needle pointing downwards by submerging it in liquid nitrogen. Do not release the holder until the liquid stops fizzing out of the rack.

Store the holder in a liquid nitrogen storage tank in the liquid phase area.