APPENDIX B
BREEDING
Breeding:
Describe the breeding scheme(s) used to ensure homozygosity of inbred strains or heterogeneity of
outbred stocks and to minimize genetic drift. State who will be responsible for the breeding.
Weaning Age:
At what age will the offspring be weaned and who will be responsible for the weaning? Justify if weaning
rodents after the recommended age of 21 days.
Mating Scheme
Describe the mating scheme to be used (mating pairs/trios/harems, etc) and accommodations in
caging/housing, if any, for mothers with litters. In the case of rodents, describe the methods used to
ensure that multiple litters are not inadvertently housed in the same cage.
Record Keeping
In outbred strains, describe the recordkeeping and genetic management techniques employed to ensure genetic
variability. For inbred or transgenic strains, describe the recordkeeping and genetic monitoring used to verify
zygosity.
Genotyping
Will animals be genotyped? Yes [ ]
No [ ]
Genotype Method Description
Describe the method including; age of animal, anesthesia to be used (if applicable), instruments to be
used, sterile technique to be employed, size of sample, methods used to monitor for and minimize
complications such as bleeding. See HELP for guidelines.
For rodent breeders: In order to document the number of animals produced in this protocol, the
investigator must maintain a log of the number of offspring weaned, used experimentally, and or
culled. These totals will be reported on the Semiannual Continuing Review Form. Weaned pups
will be tallied using NEW LITTER cards.
Rice University IACUC Application – Appendix B:
Revised July 2010
Veterinarian, Dr. Smith: christopher.s.smith@uth.tmc.edu or 713-500-7732
ARF Manager, Kelly Campbell: kelly.m.campbell@rice.edu or 713-348-3502
Page 1
HELP
GUIDELINES FOR TAIL CLIPPING IN MICE
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON TAIL CLIPPING
 Analysis of the tissue sample by PCR requires the least amount of DNA and is preferred over the
Southern Blot method.
 Recent study demonstrated that tissue samples of animals between 14 and 17 days of age
provide the highest yield of DNA in a 5 mm section of tail tissue.
 If animals are under 17 days of age, it is best to not use anesthesia since there is an increased
risk associated with it, especially when injectable agents are used. This procedure appears to
cause minimal pain to the animal and is usually associated with little blood loss, but loss of five
drops of blood is considered to be a cause for needing hemostasis.
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR TAIL CLIPPINGS WITHOUT ANESTHESIA
 Mice must be 17 days of age or less
 No more than 5 mm may be removed from tail
 No previous tail clips have been done on that mouse
 Sterile sharp scissors or scalpel blade must be used
 Hemostasis (cautery, direct pressure or hemostatic powder) should be applied ANESTHESIA IS
RECOMMENDED
 Mice between 17-21 days of age
 Isoflurane anesthesia is recommended as recovery from injectable anesthetics is slower and less
reliable
 Sterile sharp scissors or scalpel blade must be used
 Hemostasis (cautery, direct pressure or hemostatic powder) should be ANESTHESIA IS
REQUIRED
 All mice older than 21 days of age
 More than 5 mm of tail will be removed from a mouse of any age
 Previous tail clips have been done on that mouse
 Isoflurane or other inhalant anesthetics are anesthetics of choice
 Injectable agents can be used but recovery is slower and less reliable
 Sterile sharp scissors or scalpel blade must be used
 Hemostasis (cautery, direct pressure or hemostatic powder) should be applied
Rice University IACUC Application – Appendix B:
Revised July 2010
Veterinarian, Dr. Smith: christopher.s.smith@uth.tmc.edu or 713-500-7732
ARF Manager, Kelly Campbell: kelly.m.campbell@rice.edu or 713-348-3502
Page 2