Name: mouse and rat breeding methods
Uploaded: 2016-09-14T17:44:02.000Z
Duration: 15 min
Channel: JoVE

K12 Standards

new-york-state-science-learning-standards

New York State Science Learning Standards

High School

Life Science

Structure and Function

HS-LS1-2.

Fundamentals of Breeding and Weaning

fundamentals of breeding and weaning

Source: Kay Stewart, RVT, RLATG, CMAR; Valerie A. Schroeder, RVT, RLATG. University of Notre Dame, IN
Millions of mice and rats are bred for use in biomedical research each year. Worldwide, there are several large commercial breeding facilities that supply mice to research laboratories, but many facilities also choose to breed mice and rats in-house to reduce costs and increase research options. When breeding in the animal facility, researchers are able to manipulate the genetics of the animals, time the pregnancies to meet research needs, and work with embryos and neonates as required.
Mice and rats can be bred using a variety of schemes and methods. Technical procedures, such as vaginal cytology, visualization of the vaginal area, and observation of copulatory plugs, have been developed to assist with the synchronization of breeding to correspond with research requirements. This manuscript provides an overview of the basic fundamentals of mouse and rat breeding and the technical procedures used. More detailed descriptions of the complex breeding schemes, and full description of the methods for vaginal cytology, are available in the list of references.

Source: Kay Stewart, RVT, RLATG, CMAR; Valerie A. Schroeder, RVT, RLATG. University of Notre Dame, IN
Millions of mice and rats are bred for use in ...

Millions of mice and rats are bred for use in biomedical research each year, and many institutions choose to do this in-house to reduce costs and increase research options. The advantages of in-house breeding are: 1) researchers are able to manipulate the genetics of the animals through selective breeding 2) they can time pregnancies to meet research needs, and 3) they can work with embryos and neonates as necessary.&#160; 
Careful breeding management is important not only for scientific planning, but also to avoid unnecessary animal production and to support the principle of Reduction. 
However, to set up a successful breeding scheme, one should understand the rodent estrous cycle. In addition, they should have knowledge about the different mating schemes, the factors affecting rodent breeding behavior and weaning considerations, all of which will be discussed in this video presentation. 
Let&#8217;s begin with a review of the rodent estrous cycle. Both female rats and mice are polyestrous, meaning they undergo repeated estrous cycles&#160; throughout a year.&#160; 
Each cycle lasts 4&#8211;5 days and can be divided into four stages: metestrus, diestrus, proestrus, and estrus. Estrus is the ovulatory phase, dur

Education

JoVE Science Education

Basic Biology

Lab Animal Research

Rodents

mouse and rat breeding methods

Mouse and rat breeding methods are used in biomedical research to supply animals for laboratory studies. Many research facilities buy mice from commercial breeders, but some also breed mice and rats in-house. In-house breeding can reduce costs and give researchers more options for their studies.

Breeding animals in the facility also lets researchers manage genetics and timing. They can plan pregnancies to match research needs and work with embryos and newborns when needed. Mice and rats can be bred in several schemes and methods, depending on the study.

Researchers use technical steps to help time breeding. These include vaginal cytology, which looks at cells from the vagina, visual checks of the vaginal area, and finding copulatory plugs. These methods help synchronize breeding so it matches research schedules. This page gives an overview of the basic breeding and weaning process in mice and rats, along with the technical procedures used.

Mouse and Rat Breeding Methods

rodent handling and restraint techniques

Minimizing Stress in Mouse and Rat Handling

Mouse and rat handling can create stress, even when the procedure is brief. Cage changing and other noninvasive tasks can raise heart rate, blood pressure, and serum corticosterone levels. These changes may last for several hours. Restraint for injections and blood withdrawal can also affect the animals and may influence scientific data. Because of this, proper training is needed when working with mice and rats. The goal is to reduce the effect of handling on the animals as much as possible. <br...

basic care procedures

Caring for Research Mice and Rats

Research mice and rats need careful housing, feeding, and handling. These animals make up over 90% of the animals used for biomedical research, so their care can strongly affect experiment results. Both immunocompetent animals, which have a normal immune response, and immunocompromised animals need proper support during studies. Some research animals have weakened immune systems and need extra steps to stay healthy. Common examples include naturally occurring immunocompromised mice and mice...

Mouse and rat breeding methods are used in biomedical research to supply animals for laboratory studies. Many research facilities buy mice from commercial breeders, but some also breed mice and rats in-house. In-house breeding can reduce costs and give researchers more options for their studies. Breeding animals in the facility also lets researchers manage genetics and timing. They can plan pregnancies to match research needs and work with embryos and newborns when needed. Mice and rats can be...

rodent identification i

Mice and Rats: Ear Tags and Punch Codes

Proper identification of laboratory mice and rats is important in biomedical research. The right animal must be used for each procedure and for data collection. Clear identification helps keep research records accurate and reliable. This page focuses on permanent identification methods for mice and rats. These methods include ear tags, ear punch codes, microchip implantation, tail tattoos for adult mice, and toe tattoos for neonates. Temporary methods such as dyes and marking pens can also be...

rodent identification ii

Rodent ID Methods for Accurate Records

Accurate rodent identification supports reliable animal records and data collection. Research animal records may include simple cage cards or a detailed database with full information on each animal. Individual identification is the key part of keeping those records correct. Mice and rats can be identified by several methods. These include tattooing, microchip placement, and temporary identification methods. Each method serves a different need in research animal management. The procedure also...

compound administration i

Rodent Injection Routes and Restraint

Rodent injection routes and restraint methods are key parts of compound administration in mice and rats. When a substance must be injected into an animal, the delivery route and the amount of compound must be chosen with care. The right choice helps match the dose to the protocol. Several factors guide the route of administration. These include the pH of the solution, the volume needed for the desired dose, and the viscosity of the solution. Viscosity means how thick or resistant to flow a...

compound administration ii

Choosing the Right Route for Compound Delivery

Compound delivery is a key part of many animal studies. The route used to give the compound can change how it is absorbed. Careful planning helps make sure the compound is delivered correctly. The substance itself also matters when a route is chosen. Its pH, viscosity, and concentration can all affect which method is best. These properties help guide the choice of administration route in a study.

compound administration iii

Specialized Injection Routes in Mice and Rats

Specialized injection routes in mice and rats are sometimes used when standard compound administration methods are not enough. Some study protocols call for less common routes such as intradermal, intranasal, and intracranial injections. These methods are used in laboratory animals and require careful technique. Intradermal injections place a compound into the skin. Intranasal injections deliver a compound through the nose. Intracranial injections are given into the brain. Because these...

compound administration iv

Specialized Injection Routes in Rodents

Specialized injection routes in laboratory mice and rats include intracardiac, footpad, and retro-orbital administration. These methods are used when a protocol calls for a route that is less common than standard compound delivery methods. Each route requires specialized training to perform correctly. Intracardiac injections deliver into the heart, footpad injections target the paw area, and retro-orbital injections are given around the eye region. Because these procedures are more technical,...

blood withdrawal i

Rodent Blood Collection Methods

Blood collection in mice and rats is a common part of research studies. The method used depends on how much blood is needed, how often samples must be taken, the animal's health, and the technician's skill level. This topic includes three blood withdrawal methods: retro-orbital sinus bleeds, initial tail snip bleeds, and intracardiac bleeds. Each method requires general anesthesia, which means the animal is made unconscious before the procedure begins.

blood withdrawal ii

Rodent Blood Sampling Methods

Blood collection from mice and rats can be done with several methods. The choice depends on the restraint needed, how invasive the procedure is, and whether a general anesthetic is required. These factors help determine which method is best for a given analysis. One older method uses the retro-orbital sinus cavity, which is located behind the eye. This approach has been debated because it may cause tissue damage or even blindness. For that reason, facial vein and submandibular vein bleeding...

anesthesia induction and maintenance

Laboratory Anesthesia and Pain Control

Laboratory anesthesia and pain control are important parts of veterinary care for research animals. The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals says that pain assessment and pain relief must be part of that care. Anesthesia means the loss of feeling or sensation.

considerations for rodent surgery 

Aseptic Steps in Rodent Survival Surgery

Aseptic technique is essential for rodent survival surgery. It is used to keep the surgical site as clean as possible and to reduce contamination during the procedure. This approach includes patient preparation, surgeon preparation, and sterilization of instruments and other supplies. It also depends on a clean, controlled environment. Careful planning before surgery helps set up these steps for success. During the operation, animals need close monitoring. After the surgery, postoperative...

diagnostic necropsy and tissue harvest

Rat Necropsy for Tissue Collection

Rat necropsy is a key step for collecting organs and tissues at the end of many animal studies. These final samples are used for data collection time points and later testing. Because the samples are used for analysis, the way they are taken can affect sample quality. Careful collection methods help preserve the organs and tissues for testing. The method of euthanasia, or the procedure used to humanely end the animal's life, can also affect sample quality. This article outlines proper necropsy...

sterile tissue harvest

Aseptic Organ Collection in Rats and Mice

Aseptic organ collection in rats and mice is used to keep harvested tissues free from contamination. The process is important when tissues will be used for cell and tissue cultures. It also supports later protein and RNA analysis, as well as metabolic profiling of tissues. The transcript connects this work to the 3 R's, which were introduced in 1959 by W.M.S. Russell and R.L. Burch in The Principles of Humane Experimental Technique. The 3 R's are replacement, reduction, and refinement in the...

early intervention and pain management

Early Intervention and Pain Management

All animal procedures described here must be conducted in accordance with institutional animal ethics guidelines and approved by IACUC. All procedures must follow the principles of the 3Rs—Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement—and must be performed by trained personnel.  Monitoring Animals for Signs of Pain and Distress Recognizing early signs of pain is essential for ethical animal research. Animals are routinely monitored using behavioral, physical, and physiological parameters that reflect...

humane euthanasia and confirmation of death in rodents

Humane Euthanasia and Confirmation of Death in Rodents

All animal procedures described here must be conducted in accordance with institutional animal ethics guidelines and approved by IACUC. All procedures must follow the principles of the 3Rs—Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement—and must be performed by trained personnel. Humane endpoints in rodents are predefined clinical, behavioral, or physiological indicators that signal an animal is experiencing significant pain, distress, or declining health. When these signs are observed, timely...

habituation and positive reinforcement for rodent handling

Habituation and Positive Reinforcement for Rodent Handling

All animal procedures described here must be conducted in accordance with institutional animal ethics guidelines and approved by IACUC. All procedures must follow the principles of the 3Rs—Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement—and must be performed by trained personnel. Habituation and positive reinforcement are refinement strategies that help reduce stress during routine handling and experimental procedures in rodents. These approaches improve animal welfare, encourage voluntary cooperation,...

breeding management in rodent studies

Breeding Management in Rodent Studies

All animal procedures described here must be conducted in accordance with institutional animal ethics guidelines and approved by IACUC. All procedures must follow the principles of the 3Rs—Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement—and must be performed by trained personnel. Breeding management supports the 3Rs by minimizing unnecessary animal production and ensuring that only the number of animals required for a study is generated. Effective breeding strategies help reduce surplus animals and...

transport and acclimatization of rodents for research

Transport and Acclimatization of Rodents for Research

All animal procedures described here must be conducted in accordance with institutional animal ethics guidelines and approved by IACUC. All procedures must follow the principles of the 3Rs—Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement—and must be performed by trained personnel. Transporting rodents for research requires procedures that minimize stress and maintain animal welfare during movement to minimize the influence on experimental outcomes. Transport cages should provide adequate ventilation,...

environmental enrichment for rodents

Environmental Enrichment for Rodents

All animal procedures described here must be conducted in accordance with institutional animal ethics guidelines and approved by IACUC. All procedures must follow the principles of the 3Rs—Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement—and must be performed by trained personnel. Environmental enrichment involves objects and practices that encourage natural behaviors, improve psychological well-being, and promote better welfare in laboratory rodents. Environmental enrichment should be tailored to the...

rodents

Learn how mice and rats are bred for biomedical research, including in-house breeding, pregnancy timing, and methods such as vaginal cytology and copulatory plugs.

Mouse and Rat Breeding Methods | JoVE K12

matter-and-energy-in-organisms-and-ecosystems

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HS-LS1-1.

Mouse and Rat Breeding Methods

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