Acclimation & testing periods
Mice were born, raised, and maintained at The Jackson Laboratory JAX® - 10 males and 10 females for 71 inbred mouse strains At 6-8 weeks of age, mice were transferred from production rooms to one of two animal rooms depending on their health status, designated as A and B for this study. Room A was at a lower health status than room B, due to the detection of Pneumocystis carinii, Pasturella pneumotropica, and Helicobacter spp. in room A, which were not detected in room B. Mice were 10-13 wks of age on the day of sacrifice Food pellets containing 6% fat (Lab diet 5K52, PMI Nutritional International, Bentwood, Mo) were provided ad libitum Acidified water was give ad libitum Same-sex mice were housed 4 per pen in duplex polycarbonate cages (31x31x214cm) equipped with pressurized individually ventilated mouse racks (Thoren Caging Systems Inc.) with HEPA filtered air supply and exhaust 21-23°C ambient temperature ~50% Steam autoclaved white pine shavings 10:14 (room A) or 12:12 (room B) light:dark cycle Colonies were regularly monitored for viruses, bacterial species, ecto- and endo- parasites. All animal protocols were approved by the Jackson Laboratory Animal Care and Use Committee. Mouse handling and care complied with the Public Health Service animal welfare policy.