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Mouse urine collection using clear plastic wrap
1Arthritis and Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City 73104, USA. kurienb@omrf.ouhsc.edu
Laboratory Animals
|April 12, 2000
Summary
Researchers developed simple methods for collecting pure mouse urine for qualitative urinalysis. These techniques avoid the impracticality of metabolic cages for studies involving multiple animals, enabling efficient sample acquisition.
Area of Science:
- Animal research methodologies
- Biochemical analysis
Background:
- Qualitative urinalysis is valuable for detecting various urinary analytes.
- Metabolic cages are often impractical for collecting mouse urine in studies involving multiple animals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe two novel, practical methods for collecting pure mouse urine.
- To facilitate qualitative urinalysis in rodent research.
Main Methods:
- Single Animal Method (SAM): Mouse urinates on cling wrap, urine is aspirated.
- Multiple Animal Method (MAM): Mice are housed in partitioned compartments on cling wrap for urination, followed by aspiration.
Main Results:
- Both SAM and MAM successfully yielded pure mouse urine.
- Urine collection was achieved rapidly (as early as 12 seconds) and without coercion.
- Collected urine volumes ranged from 10-250 microliters.
Conclusions:
- The described methods offer efficient and practical alternatives to metabolic cages for mouse urine collection.
- These techniques can support qualitative urinalysis in research settings.
- Potential applications include microgravity research with modifications for rats and mice.