Faculty Collaboration Database

Comparison of 2 rat breeding schemes using conventional caging. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci 2013 Mar;52(2):142-5

Date

04/09/2013

Pubmed ID

23562096

Pubmed Central ID

PMC3624781

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84875539802 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   8 Citations

Abstract

Compared with earlier editions, the eighth edition of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals recommends more cage floor space for female rats with litters. As such, conventional rat cages often do not supply the recommended floor space to maintain 2 adult rats and a litter in the same cage. We evaluated 2 breeding schemes using traditional cages that afford 140 in.(2) (903 cm(2)) of floor space: (1) monogamous pairs housed continuously and (2) monogamous pairs cohoused intermittently with removal of the male rat after parturition. The results did not demonstrate a significant difference between breeding schemes in generation time, number of litters per breeding pair, percentage of litters weaned, number of pups born per breeding pair, and number of pups weaned per breeding pair. However, the average weaning weight of pups was significantly higher with scheme 1 compared with scheme 2. Collectively, these results indicate continuous housing of monogamous breeding pairs may be preferable to intermittent housing when conventional cages are used.

Author List

Allen KP, Dwinell MR, Zappa A, Temple A, Thulin J

Authors

Kenneth Paul Allen DVM Assistant Provost, Director, Professor in the Research Office department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Melinda R. Dwinell PhD Associate Dean, Professor in the Physiology department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Joseph Thulin DVM, MS Emeritus Professor in the Physiology department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Animals
Animals, Laboratory
Breeding
Female
Guidelines as Topic
Housing, Animal
Male
Rats
Reproduction