[Nomenclature of laboratory animals]

It is essential to use a correct nomenclature for laboratory animals to avoid mistakes in the strain and stock designation, just as it is important to use the correct species name. Firstly the rules of the nomenclature for inbred animals (strains) are dealt with. The strain symbol is followed by a slant line and an appropriate substrain symbol and possible additional symbols. Different types of symbols and combinations are discussed and examples are given. Next the nomenclature of the outbred animals (stocks) is treated. The code of the breeder is followed by a colon, the stock symbol and possible additional symbols.