Abstract
The 3Rs stand for Replacement of animals in experiments, Reduction in the number of experimental animals, and Refinement of experiments to minimize animal pain and stress. We propose to address Reduction and Refinement in the use of mice as experimental models in developmental research. This study focuses on the maternal percentage of weight increase at gestational day 8 (%WI(GD8)) to diagnose pregnancy early in BALB/c mice. We documented sensitivity, specificity, false positive and negative rates and probability of pregnancy associated with %WI(GD8). This predictive model of pregnancy allows for significant reduction in the number of mice to be sacrificed in developmental research. Reported observations and literature suggest that this model is independent of litter size and should be applicable to other mice strains. This procedure allows mice pregnancy detection before midgestation and proposes an ethically sound approach to experimental animal use by optimizing the number of mice used and refining animal manipulation.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
