Acclimation & testing periods
Supplier Mice were obtained from the Repository of The Jackson Laboratory (Bar Harbor, Maine) Ages Mice were received at 4-5 wks of age and tested 6 wks of age Feed Mice were fed pelleted and autoclaved 5K52 diet, modified from the NIH 31M open formula with 6% fat (LabDiet® 5K52 6% Fat, St. Louis, MO) Water Mice were provided ad libitum access to autoclaved acidified water (pH 2.8 to 3.1) Housing Mice were housed in individually ventilated micro-isolator cages from Thoren Caging Systems Inc. (Hazelton, PA) within an SPF barrier room. The room was supplied with HEPA-filtered air at 19 changes/h. Bedding Autoclaved pine shavings (Crobb Box, Ellsworth, ME) Photoperiod 12-h light: 12-h dark cycle Humidity Relative humidity of 35% ± 4% Temperature 22 ± 2°C Health status All procedures were conducted in strict compliance with the policies on animal welfare of the National Institutes of Health and were approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee of The Jackson Laboratory.