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Guinea pig Cavia porcellus

We have discontinued to maintain guinea pigs.

The guinea pig (Its official Japanese name is "Tenjiku-nezumi," but the animal is usually called "Morumotto" in Japanese), a rodent derived from South America origin, has been long and widely being used for research. The animal belongs to Rodentia, Hystricognathi, Cavidae. The animals have been being used in various fields of research, e.g., immunology, nutrition, genetics, and infections. In particular, this animal is essential for studies of tuberculosis and vitamin C. Many researchers, however, are preferentially using mice as main laboratory animals these days. The usage of the guinea pig in research fields is decreasing.

In our laboratory, we are trying to improve methods for superovulation (1), embryo culture (2) and embryo transfer in the guinea pig.

In addition, our laboratory holds JY series of guinea pigs, which were established based on the coat color at the National Institute of Health (currently, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases), our former workplace, about thirty(?) years ago.

JY series

Strain series of guinea pigs established based on the coat color.

JY-1 JY-2 JY-3 JY-4 JY-5 JY-6
Photo:JY-1 Photo:JY-2 Photo:JY-3 Photo:JY-4 Photo:JY-5 Photo:JY-6
JY-7 JY-8 JY-9 JY-10 JY-G
Photo:JY-7 Photo:JY-8 Photo:JY-9 Photo:JY-10 Photo:JY-G

References

  1. Suzuki O, Koura M, Noguchi Y, Takano K, Yamamoto Y, Matsuda J. (2003) Optimization of superovulation induction by human menopausal gonadotropin in guinea pigs based on follicular waves and FSH-receptor homologies. Mol Reprod Dev 64(2):219-225.
  2. Suzuki O, Ogura A, Asano T, Noguchi Y, Yamamoto Y, Oike M. (1993). Development of Preimplantation Guinea-pig Embryos in Serum-free Media. Reprod Fertil Dev 5:425-432.
  3. Suzuki O, Kurosawa S, Noguchi Y, Yamamoto Y, Mochida K, Matsuda J, Ogura A, Asano T. (2000) Superovulation and embryo transfer in the guinea pig. Theriogenology, 53:508.