How to care for laboratory mice? - briefly
Laboratory mice require a controlled environment, routine health assessments, and standardized nutrition to ensure experimental reliability. Provide enrichment, maintain temperature at 20‑26 °C, humidity at 30‑70 %, and follow strict aseptic handling protocols.
How to care for laboratory mice? - in detail
Proper husbandry of laboratory mice requires attention to housing, nutrition, health monitoring, environmental enrichment, handling, sanitation, breeding management, and documentation.
Housing should provide cages with stainless‑steel or polycarbonate construction, solid flooring, and a minimum floor space of 75 cm² per mouse. Temperature must be maintained between 20 °C and 26 °C, with relative humidity of 30 %–70 %. A 12‑hour light/dark cycle, using low‑intensity illumination, supports circadian rhythms. Ventilation systems must supply filtered air, achieving 10–20 air changes per hour, and prevent drafts.
Nutrition demands a balanced, irradiated rodent diet formulated for the specific strain, supplied ad libitum. Water should be provided via autoclaved bottles or a sterilized automated system, refreshed at least twice daily. Supplemental nutrients, such as vitamin D or essential fatty acids, may be added according to experimental requirements.
Health monitoring includes weekly visual inspections for signs of distress, alopecia, or abnormal behavior. Body weight should be recorded at least once per week. Periodic screening for common pathogens (e.g., Mycoplasma pulmonis, Sendai virus) is essential, employing serology or PCR assays. Any animal showing illness must be isolated and examined by veterinary staff.
Environmental enrichment improves welfare and reduces stress. Provide nesting material (e.g., shredded paper), shelter objects, and chewable items. Rotate enrichment objects regularly to maintain novelty. Ensure that enrichment does not interfere with cage cleaning or experimental variables.
Handling protocols emphasize gentle restraint using cupped hands or a tunnel system to minimize stress. Train personnel to recognize subtle cues of anxiety and to perform interventions swiftly. Record all handling events in the animal log.
Sanitation procedures require weekly cage changes, using aseptic techniques to prevent cross‑contamination. Disinfect work surfaces with an approved agent (e.g., 70 % ethanol) before and after each session. Autoclave all waste before disposal.
Breeding management involves pairing compatible mice in dedicated breeding cages, monitoring for pregnancy, and separating litters at weaning (typically 21 days). Maintain accurate pedigree records to track genetic background and avoid inadvertent inbreeding.
Documentation must capture cage IDs, environmental parameters, health observations, dietary changes, and experimental interventions. Use electronic databases with audit trails to ensure traceability and compliance with institutional and regulatory standards.