Studies were conducted to determine factors that influence the survival of bradyzoites of Neospora caninum within tissue cysts in the brains of experimentally inoculated mice. Viable tissue cysts were detected in the brains of mice inoculated 13 mo previously with either of 2 isolates (NC-1 or NC-2) of N. caninum. Bradyzoites within tissue cysts of the NC-2 isolate survived for at least 14 days at 4 C in refrigerated brain homogenates. Bradyzoites within tissue cysts of the NC-2 isolate also survived in the intact brain of a mouse carcass refrigerated at 4 C for 7 days. Bradyzoites within tissue cysts of the NC-3 isolate were killed by freezing at -20 C for 1 day.