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Upgrading mouse health and welfare: direct benefits of a large-scale rederivation programme
M D Fray1, A R Pickard, M Harrison
1Mammalian Genetics Unit, Medical Research Council, Harwell, Oxfordshire, UK.
Abstract:
We report the outcome of a 30-month programme to rederive 310 specific pathogen-free mouse strains to populate a new individually ventilated cage barrier facility at the Mary Lyon Centre (MLC), Medical Research Council (MRC) Harwell. The mice were rederived in a self-contained quarantine suite and embryo-recipient females were health-screened to assess microbiological status, before moving their offspring into the new facility. The MLC currently houses approximately 49,000 mice in about 9750 cages and we have 30 months of follow-up health screen data. Embryo rederivation and hysterectomy have high safety margins; however, the precaution of performing the programme in isolators facilitated the containment and decontamination of two mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) infection outbreaks. Rederivation of the colony has eliminated endemic MHV, mouse adenovirus type 2 (MAV-2), Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus, pinworms, intestinal protozoa, Pasteurella pneumotropica, Helicobacter spp. and mites. The improvements in microbiological status have had notable benefits for mouse health and welfare and the science at MRC Harwell. Previously important clinical entities such as sudden death associated with lactation ileus in C3H/HeH mice, early weight loss associated with inflammatory bowel disease in B6-TgN(HDexon1)61Gpb and B6TgN-(HD82Gln)81Dbo (Huntington) mice and early weight loss in male mice mutagenized with N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea have been markedly reduced or eliminated.
Insights
A 30-month program successfully rederived 310 mouse strains, eliminating pathogens and improving animal health. This initiative enhanced scientific research by reducing disease-related complications in mouse models.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Laboratory Animal Science
- Pathogen Eradication
Background:
- The Mary Lyon Centre (MLC) aimed to establish a new, pathogen-free mouse facility.
- Existing colonies faced challenges with endemic infections and associated health issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To rederive 310 specific pathogen-free mouse strains for a new barrier facility.
- To improve mouse health, welfare, and research outcomes at MRC Harwell.
Main Methods:
- A 30-month rederivation program using embryo transfer and hysterectomy in a quarantine suite.
- Health screening of embryo-recipient females and offspring.
- Containment and decontamination protocols for two mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) outbreaks.
Main Results:
- Successful rederivation of 310 mouse strains to specific pathogen-free status.
- Elimination of endemic MHV, MAV-2, Theiler's virus, pinworms, protozoa, P. pneumotropica, Helicobacter spp., and mites.
- Significant reduction or elimination of clinical issues like sudden death, inflammatory bowel disease, and post-mutagenesis weight loss.
Conclusions:
- The rederivation program effectively improved the microbiological status of the mouse colony.
- Enhanced pathogen-free status led to improved mouse health, welfare, and research reliability.
- The initiative demonstrated the success of isolator-based rederivation for disease control and colony health.
