The Laboratory Mouse

List of Contributors

Foreword

Preface

Part 1 History and Genetics

Chapter 1.1. Origins and Phylogenetic Relationships of the Laboratory Mouse

Introduction

Phylogenetic relationships of the house mouse

The house mouse as a laboratory model: a historical perspective

The house mouse and its wild relatives

REFERENCES

Internet resources

Chapter 1.2. Historical Foundations

Introduction

1902–1940: the birth of mouse genetics

1941–1960: discovery and expansion of mouse resources

1961–1980: mapping the mouse genome

1981–2000: genetic mapping advances and manipulation of the mouse genome

2001–2011: the mouse genome sequence and beyond

Acknowledgements

REFERENCES

Chapter 1.3. Strains, Stocks and Mutant Mice

Introduction

Stocks and strains

Inbred strains

Hybrid mice

Traditional outbred stocks

Wild-derived inbred strains

Mice with chromosomal aberrations

Congenic strains

Recombinant inbred strains, recombinant congenic strains and advanced intercross lines

The Collaborative cross

Mutant mice: spontaneous mutations, transgenes and targeted mutations

Conclusion

REFERENCES

Chapter 1.4. Mouse Genomics

Introduction

Structure of the mouse genome

Functional annotation of the mouse genome

REFERENCES

Relevant URLs for mouse genomics

Chapter 1.5. Generation of Mouse Mutants by Genotype-Driven Mutagenesis

Introduction

Transgenic animals—a definition

Methods for additive transgenesis by random integration

Transgenesis by targeted mutation using embryonic stem cells

Advanced methods of transgenesis

Fluorescence reporter in transgenic mice

Perspective

REFERENCES

Part 2 Anatomy and Normative Biology

Chapter 2.1. Early Mouse Development

Introduction

Fertilization and preimplantation development

Early postimplantation development

Late embryonic development: completion of organogenesis and fetal growth

REFERENCES

Chapter 2.2. Gross Anatomy

Introduction

Acknowledgement

REFERENCES

Chapter 2.3. Histology

Introduction

Cardiovascular system

Digestive system

Gallbladder

Endocrine system

Genital system

Haematopoietic and lymphoreticular system

Musculoskeletal system

Nervous system

Respiratory system

Sensory organs and adnexa

Skin and mammary glands

Urinary system

Most common strain differences in the occurrence of age-related changes

REFERENCES

General information

Chapter 2.4. Skin and Adnexa of the Laboratory Mouse

Introduction

Clinical evaluation, tissue collection, and preservation of the skin

Development of the normal skin and adnexa

Normal anatomy of the skin and the hair cycle

Nails

Other specialized glands

Skin and adnexal mutant phenotypes

REFERENCES

Chapter 2.5. Development and Disease of Mouse Muscular and Skeletal Systems

Part A. Muscle systems

Cellular and molecular development

Fetal muscle development

Adult muscle function

Degenerative diseases and genetic models

Part B. Skeletal systems

Bone anatomy and composition

Bone cells

Embryonic origin of bone

Bone remodelling

Bone and energy metabolism

Summary

REFERENCES

Chapter 2.6. The Cardiovascular System

Introduction

Anatomical considerations

Histopathological characteristics of the normal mouse heart

Mouse electrocardiography

Functional cardiovascular measurements in the mouse—invasive versus non-invasive

Experimental models

Pathology of myocardial infarction in mice

Pathology of myocardial hypertrophy

Murine models of cardiac fibrosis

Congestive heart failure

Murine models in aortic disease

Acknowledgements

REFERENCES

Chapter 2.7. The Respiratory Tract

Introduction

Anatomy and normal structure of the mouse lung

Immunology of the lung

Physiology of the lung

Lung diseases and pathology

Non-neoplastic lesions

Tumours of the respiratory system

Murine models of lung cancer

Conclusion

REFERENCES

Chapter 2.8. The Gastrointestinal System and Metabolism

Introduction

Digestive system

Endocrine aspects of digestion and absorption

Metabolism

REFERENCES

Chapter 2.9. Haematology of the Mouse

Introduction

Terminology

Blood collection and handling

Basics of haematological evaluation

Variables affecting haematology results

Pathophysiology and interpretation of results

Bone marrow evaluation

REFERENCES

Further reading

Chapter 2.10. Studying Immunology in Mice

Introduction

Dependence of immune system status on microflora and other microorganisms

Dependence of the immune system on the genetic background

The ‘mouse trap’, or why the mouse is needed in immunology

Using in vitro systems to replace animal experimentation

Humanized mice

Conclusions

REFERENCES

Chapter 2.11. The Behaviour of the House Mouse

Introduction

Taxonomy and biogeography of the house mouse

The house mouse in research

Behavioural flexibility in the western house mouse

Flexibility in maternal reproductive strategies

REFERENCES

Chapter 2.12. Biological Rhythms of the Mouse

Introduction

The biological clock

Formal properties of endogenous clocks

Anatomical structures and components of the biological clock

The cellular clockwork

Peripheral clocks: slaves to the master clock?

Phenotypic effects of mutations in circadian clock genes

Practical recommendations from the viewpoint of chronobiology

Conclusion

REFERENCES

Part 3 Neoplasms and Infectious Diseases

Chapter 3.1. Diversity of Spontaneous Neoplasms in Commonly Used Inbred Strains of Laboratory Mice

Introduction

The Mouse Tumor Biology Database and Pathbase

Strains

Other large-scale ageing studies using mice

Mouse cancer websites

Conclusions

Acknowledgements

REFERENCES

Chapter 3.2. Viral Infections of Laboratory Mice

Introduction

DNA viruses

RNA viruses

REFERENCES

Chapter 3.3. Bacterial Infections of Laboratory Mice

Introduction

Gram-positive Bacteria

Gram-negative bacteria

REFERENCES

Chapter 3.4. Parasitic Infections of Laboratory Mice

Introduction

Internal parasites of laboratory mice

External parasites of laboratory mice

REFERENCES

Part 4 Husbandry and Maintenance

Chapter 4.1. Housing and Maintenance

Introduction

General aspects

Hygienic characteristics of laboratory mice

Housing systems

Housing conditions for specific purposes

Infected animals and infection experiments

Refinement of housing and environmental enrichment

Therapeutic treatment

Identification systems

Computer-assisted management of animal facilities

REFERENCES

Chapter 4.2. Mouse Enrichment

Introduction

Implementing environmental enrichment

Effects of enrichment

Assessing the value of enrichment

Keeping mouse enrichment practical

Conclusions

REFERENCES

Chapter 4.3. Nutrition of the Laboratory Mouse

Introduction

Nutritional requirements

Types of diets

Storage conditions

Pellet hardness

Autoclaving/irradiation

Quality control

Ad libitum feeding versus food restriction

Pair feeding

Normal feeding behaviour versus food restriction

Individual housing versus group housing

Isocaloric exchange

Mouse models in nutrition research

Fasting

Welfare considerations and enrichment

REFERENCES

Chapter 4.4. Health Management and Monitoring

Introduction

Significance of infectious agents

Definitions of microbiological status

Sources of infections

Health monitoring programme

Health report

REFERENCES

Chapter 4.5. Genetic Monitoring of Inbred Strains of Mice

Introduction

Inbred strains

Factors that compromise genetic quality of inbred strains

Maintenance of inbred strains

Principles and strategies of genetic monitoring

Marker systems and strategies for genetic monitoring of inbred strains

REFERENCES

Chapter 4.6. Gnotobiology and Breeding Techniques

Gnotobiology

Health standards: definitions and categories

Breeding techniques

Mating systems and breeding techniques

REFERENCES

Chapter 4.7. Cryopreservation of Preimplantation Embryos and Gametes, and Associated Methods

Introduction

Cryopreservation of epididymal sperm

Cryopreservation of preimplantation mouse embryos

Cryopreservation of oocytes

Cryopreservation of ovaries

Setting up frozen storage of mouse germplasm

Associated methods for cryopreservation

Miscellaneous

REFERENCES

Part 5 Procedures

Chapter 5.1. Handling and Restraint

Introduction

Occupational health and risks

Definitions

Handling techniques

Transfer of mice

Effect of handling and restraint on well-being of mice

Summary and recommendations

Acknowledgements

REFERENCES

Chapter 5.2. Routes of Administration

Introduction

Principles of administration

Needles and syringes

Enteral administration

Parenteral administration

Subcutaneous administration

Intraperitoneal administration

Intravenous administration

Intramuscular administration

Intradermal administration

Intracerebral administration

Intrathoracic administration

Intranasal administration

Topical application

Inhalation

Other routes

Implantable pumps, controlled-release drug delivery pellets and cannulas

Immunization

Rescue from anaphylaxis

Acknowledgement

REFERENCES

Suppliers’ websites

Chapter 5.3. Collection of Body Fluids

Blood

Urine

Milk

Bile

Semen

Saliva

Lacrimal fluid

Peritoneal fluids

REFERENCES

Chapter 5.4. Anaesthesia, Analgesia and Euthanasia

Introduction

Anaesthesia

Analgesia

Euthanasia

REFERENCES

Chapter 5.5. Imaging the Laboratory Mouse in vivo

Introduction

Mouse imaging: why the fuss?

Mouse imaging: the technology who’s who

Facilitating mouse modelling of human disease and therapeutic development through imaging

Spectroscopy and spectroscopic imaging

The future of mouse imaging

Summary

REFERENCES

Chapter 5.6. Necropsy Methods

Introduction

Biological characterization of a new mutation

Clinical evaluation

Clinical pathology

Gross pathological examination

Fixatives

Euthanasia

Necropsy procedure

Trimming tissues for histology

Routine histological staining

Conclusions

Acknowledgements

Appendix: Examples of commonly used fixatives for mouse histopathology

REFERENCES

Part 6 Legal Regulations

Chapter 6.1. Laws, Guidelines and Policies Governing the Use of Mice in Research

Introduction

General principles

Regulations especially relevant to laboratory mice

Regional laws, guidelines and policies

Acknowledgements

REFERENCES

Index