Ternak Mencit
Ternak Mencit
Ternak Mencit
!
Why Check Plugs
R Used for time mating
R Provides exact date of gestation to
– collect embryos
– plan delivery date for experiments
Checking Plugs
R Take F to M’s cage late afternoon
– Most mating occur during dark cycle
R Check plugs early next day
– Before they melt away
R Plug detection = 1st day of pregnancy
– However, plug ≠ pregnant &
– No plug ≠ not pregnant
Identifying Pregnancy
R Observable at 10 da
R Clearly observable at 12 da
R Palpable at 14 da – ‘string of
pearls’
R Small litters later detection
R Check for pregnancy to
– provide nesting material
– separate animals if needed/required
– Identify any breeding problems
Parturition
R Disturbing cage ~2-3 da pre partum, 3-5
da post partum may lead to cannibalism or
pup rejection
R Enrichment/nesting material paramount
R Role of male
R C57BL/6 male often sits on pups to keep pups
warm. Female with companion less likely to
neglect pups
– 129 males don’t help & may distract female
Pup Age Day 1-13 Summary
Postnatal Day 0: Blood red; possible milk spot
1: Lighter color red; milk spot present
2: Ears appear as nubs; pigment may start to appear in some strains
3: Ear flap starting to come away from head (one or both)
4: Ears fully developed; completely off head; ears may start to migrate towards
back
5: Ears all back; skin appears much thicker with more color density to skin
6: Milk spot disappearing or gone; skin still shows; colored fuzz appears behind
ears or on neck
7: Colored fuzz starts to cover pup; skin does not show
8: Belly starts to show fur; lower incisors show but not erupted
9: Fur now thicker; females start to show inguinal nipples (there are 5 pairs of
nipples)
10: Lower incisors erupted
11: Upper incisors erupted
12: Eyes still closed
Record Keeping
R Identify ancestors, siblings & descendants
R Monitor mating activity and litters born
R Identify mice for experiments
R Select next generation of breeders
R Track DNA
samples
Suggested Records
R Strain data – nomenclature, genetic
background, history
R Animal numbers
R Pedigree records
R Birth dates
R Mating pairs (dam x sire) & date mated
– Litters & pups born
– Weaned pups – number, gender
R Genotypes
R Generation #
Suggested Cage Card Coloring
System
Breeding Card Sample
Breeding Card Sample
Weaning Card Sample
Pup Identification
R Ear punching or notching
– Correspond to a numbering system
R Metal ear tag
– Metal clip stamped with a number
R Toe clipping
R Tattooing
R Microchip
– SC implant read remotely
Sexing
Method Pros Cons
Ear Simple, inexpensive, Subject to tearing and
punching/ easy to read healing, limited
notching numbers
Metal ear Unique numbering, Loss of tags,
tags relatively inexpensive infections, hard to read
Toe clipping Simple, inexpensive, Controversial, must be
permanent done at early age
Tattooing Relatively More difficult and time-
permanent, easy to consuming, may fade
read, may be done with time if done
on newborns improperly
Microchips Permanent, virtually High cost per mouse,
unlimited numbers, requires costly reader
can provide
physiologic data
Factors Affecting Breeding
Widespread & Isolated Problems
R Widespread
– Environmental influence
– Location of cages
– Noise/vibration
– Temp/humidity
– Diet
R Isolated – When very few cages affected
Environmental Stressors
R Limit
– Vibration
– Noise
– Light intensity
– Traffic
– Other stressors
R Falling barometric pressure makes some
strains hyperactive & decrease breeding
performance
R Environmental enrichment very important!!!
Limit Vibration
R Construction
– Same building
– Adjacent building
R Moving equipment
R Cage wash too close to
animal rooms
R Minimize with vibration
attenuation pads under racks
Limit Noise
R Speak softly
R Avoid extraneous sounds
R Avoid loud equipment
R Avoid music, bring vol down, use ear buds
R Close doors quietly
R Avoid sound fire alarms – replace with strobe
light or low amplitude sound fire alarms
Limit Light
R Attenuate light &/or move to
darkest location in room
R Ensure dark cycle is maintained once the
lights are off
R Consider 14:10 (light:dark) cycle
R Continuous light halts all breeding in 3 days
Limit Light
Anecdotal story