Wahlsten2 animal documentation

Wildness in 21 inbred strains of mice assessed through a rating scale   (2003)

Wahlsten D, Crabbe JC, Metten P
With: Bryden C, Moisan B, Cooper SF, Schlumbohm J, Yu C-H




The same animals were measured in two projects: Wahlsten1 and Wahlsten2.

[Mouse details can be downloaded in the individual animal info file.]
Specific details per animal are available in this data file and include vendor housing information, diet, dates of birth, shipping, and testing, health report of sentinel animals, and other environmental parameters. Mice were tested in parallel studies at University of Alberta (Edmonton) and Oregon Health and Science University (Portland). Site of testing is indicated for each animal.

Vendor: Mice obtained from The Jackson Laboratory.

Health status report: The Jackson Laboratory Diagnostics Laboratory routinely monitors and documents animal health status using statistically valid sampling procedures and standard protocols. See JAX®Mice Quality Control Programs or the JAX®Mice Catalog for the list of agents monitored.

Sentinel mice from production facility and research facility (non-SPF) rooms represented in this study were negative for all agents tested except those noted in the individual animal info file. Detailed health status reports for each animal room are on file. Contact us for specific reports.

Shipment notes and dates: Shipping and testing were accomplished in five batches at both locations (Edmonton and Portland). The goal was to test 10 mice per sex for each strain (6 in one laboratory, 4 in the other laboratory). The shipping dates range from November 2001 to February 2002; exact ship date of each mouse is provided in the individual animal info file.

Shipment age: Most mice were shipped at 7 wks of age with behavioral tests beginning at 10 wks of age.


Environment before shipping

Feed: Most strains maintained on a 6% fat diet (Purina 5K52); others fed a 4% fat diet (Purina 5K54). See the individual animal info file for diet.

Water: Adjusted with hydrochloric acid to pH 2.8-3.1 and supplemented with menadione sodium bisulfite (final concentration 0.4 mg/mL) to compensate for potential decrease in vitamin K activity upon autoclaving; water supplied in pinhole type bottles (Thoren Caging Systems, Inc. Hazelton, PA).

Housing: Thoren cages; Thoren Maxi Miser #3 cages used for some strains as part of a PIV (pressurized individually ventilated) system.

Bedding: Steam autoclaved white pine shavings.

Photoperiod: 14 h light (generally 0430 h) 10 h dark.

Temperature: 18 - 24 °C

Relative humidity: ~50%.


Acclimation and Testing Periods

(Same conditions for Edmonton and Portland except where noted.)

Duration: 3-5 wks in conventional, non-barrier facility

Feed: Purina 5001 bought locally. (Brand is PMI in Edmonton).

Water: Tap

Housing: Three mice per cage; at Edmonton, Ancare (11.5" x 7.5" x 5") without filter tops (except for MOLF/EiJ, PERA/EiJ, SPRET/EiJ); at Portland, Thoren 1A (11" x 7" x 6") with filter tops for all strains.

Bedding: 1/4" Bed-o-cob.

Photoperiod: 12 h on (0600 h) 12 h off.

Temperature: 20 +/- 1.5 °C

Relative humidity: 50% +/- 10.

Health status report: Mice were reported in excellent health. All serology tests were negative for sentinel mice regularly tested at Edmonton and Portland.