How do you conduct experiments on mice? - briefly
Obtain IACUC approval, select appropriate mouse strains, and house the animals under standardized environmental conditions; then administer the experimental treatment, collect the required data, and conclude with humane euthanasia following regulatory guidelines.
How do you conduct experiments on mice? - in detail
Designing and executing mouse studies begins with a written protocol reviewed by an institutional animal care and use committee (IACUC) or equivalent ethics board. The protocol must detail the scientific objective, justification for using mice, number of animals, expected outcomes, and humane endpoints. Approval is required before any animal is acquired.
Select a strain that matches the experimental hypothesis; consider genetic background, age, sex, and health status. Obtain animals from accredited vendors, inspect for signs of disease, and quarantine according to facility policy. Provide a controlled environment: temperature 20‑24 °C, relative humidity 45‑55 %, 12‑hour light/dark cycle, and enrichment items (nesting material, shelter). Record cage identifiers, bedding type, and feed composition.
Acclimatize mice for at least seven days before interventions. During this period, monitor weight, behavior, and clinical signs daily. Randomize subjects into treatment groups using a computer‑generated list; ensure allocation concealment to prevent bias. If possible, blind personnel conducting measurements and data analysis.
Procedural steps vary with the study type:
- Drug administration – Choose route (intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, oral gavage). Calculate dose per kilogram body weight, prepare sterile solutions, and use calibrated syringes. Record time of injection, volume, and any immediate reactions.
- Surgical interventions – Perform under appropriate anesthesia (e.g., isoflurane or injectable agents). Verify depth of anesthesia by lack of pedal reflex. Apply aseptic technique: sterilize instruments, use surgical gloves, and maintain a sterile field. Monitor vital signs (respiration, temperature) throughout. Provide analgesia (e.g., buprenorphine) before incision and at regular intervals post‑operatively.
- Behavioral testing – Acclimate mice to testing apparatus, conduct trials at consistent times, and limit external disturbances. Use automated tracking software when available to reduce observer bias. Log latency, duration, and frequency of defined behaviors.
- Physiological measurements – Collect blood via tail vein, retro‑orbital sinus, or cardiac puncture, adhering to maximum volume guidelines (≤ 10 % of total blood volume per 24 h). Process samples promptly for assays (ELISA, PCR, flow cytometry). Store aliquots at appropriate temperatures with proper labeling.
Throughout the experiment, maintain a detailed logbook: animal IDs, cage changes, health observations, intervention dates, dosages, and deviations from the protocol. Conduct interim reviews to assess welfare; implement humane endpoints if animals exhibit severe distress, weight loss > 20 % of baseline, or uncontrolled pain.
At study completion, euthanize mice using approved methods (CO₂ inhalation followed by secondary physical method, overdose of anesthetic). Verify death by lack of heartbeat and respiratory motion. Collect tissues immediately, snap‑freeze or fix in formalin according to downstream analyses. Dispose of carcasses and biohazard waste following institutional regulations.
Compile data in a structured database, perform statistical analysis appropriate to the experimental design (ANOVA, mixed models, survival analysis), and document all parameters for reproducibility. Prepare a final report that includes methodology, results, and ethical compliance statements for publication or regulatory review.