EMERGENCY - FOR POSTMORTEM CATTLEFOR LIVE CATTLE -

Genetic preservation for postmortem cattle

These instructions are to be used for obtaining tissue for genetically preserving cells from animals that have died within the last 10 hours.  Please call 877-4-BOVANCE (877-426-8262) to notify us about the future shipment of your animal’s sample. 

Materials needed:

The following items should be on hand to collect samples from your animal in an urgent situation.

·     Clean knife or scalpel
·     Ice packs or ice in Ziploc bag
·     Marker
·     Needle and syringe, or if available a red/purple top blood tube
·     Newspaper or bubble wrap
·     Rubbing alcohol or ethanol
·     Styrofoam or cardboard box
·     Resealable plastic bag

Collection of blood:

Collect blood as close to the time of death as possible in syringe or red/purple top blood tube for a DNA analysis to be performed.  Store in the refrigerator.

Ear sample collection:

Thoroughly wash your hands before handling the ear.  Using rubbing alcohol or ethanol, clean a knife or scalpel, and cut off the ear of the deceased animal.  Put the ear in a resealable plastic bag or other container and label as stated below.

·     Collection date
·     Date of death
·     Animal ID (ear tag, brand, and/or tattoo)
·     Place in refrigerator until ready to ship

DO NOT FREEZE!

Shipping ear samples:

Place ice packs or resealable plastic bags with ice in the bottom of a box.  Wrap the samples in newspaper or bubble wrap, so they will not come in direct contact with the ice.

Place the samples on top of the ice.  Place any contracts in a resealable plastic bag and include in the box.  Seal the box, and immediately call Federal Express (800-463-3339) to pick up the box for delivery to:

ViaGen Lab Processing
12357-A Riata Trace Pkwy., Suite 100
Austin, TX 78727

Genetic preservation for live cattle

Please call Trans Ova Genetics at 1-800-999-3586 or Bovance at 877-4-BOVANCE (877-426-8262) to notify us of your interest in genetically preserving your animal.  We will provide a kit with the materials and directions necessary to take the sample in a successful manner. 

A blood sample and several small ear samples will be taken…However, a live tissue sample only requires several small ear punches. Directions and necessary tools for this procedure are included within the kit.  Once received at the lab, the tissue sample will be used to establish cell cultures, and the resulting cells will be harvested and stored in liquid nitrogen.