Chapter 8 - Management and Design: Breeding Facilities

Abstract

The development and maintenance of breeding colonies of mice is an integral part of biomedical research for nearly a century. Although the act of breeding resulting in the production of young is a natural phenomena in mice, the control of this process in laboratory and commercial settings by humans has allow targeted production of animals with desired genotypes and phenotypes at desired times and quantities required for research programs. Poorly structured or poorly managed breeding colonies waste both financial resources and animals and are counterproductive to research programs. Methods for managing breeding colonies of mice are not new but are based on well-accepted principles that are designated to ensure efficient production of animals of the correct genotype and health status. This chapter focuses on the resources and procedures used to produce mice in research and commercial settings. Information presented in the chapter is meant to be complementary to that presented in other chapters coveting topics such as reproduction, health monitoring, genetic monitoring, and other research related issues, including genetic manipulation that should be consulted for more comprehensive discussion on the topics as well as comprehensive lists of references.