Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2026

A Pipeline using Bilateral In Utero Electroporation to Interrogate Genetic Influences on Rodent Behavior
06:59

A Pipeline using Bilateral In Utero Electroporation to Interrogate Genetic Influences on Rodent Behavior

Published on: May 21, 2020

Identification methods in newborn C57BL/6 mice: a developmental and behavioural evaluation.

M J Castelhano-Carlos1, N Sousa, F Ohl

  • 1Life and Health Science Research Institute, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal. mjoao@ecsaude.uminho.pt

Laboratory Animals
|October 27, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Identifying newborn mice is crucial for research. Toe clipping and tattoo ink puncture are suitable methods with minimal impact on development, while transponder implantation is best for older mice.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Characterization of alterations in spontaneous behaviors in a rat model of neuropathic pain - new outcome measures for pain evaluation?

Frontiers in behavioral neuroscience·2025
Same author

Prefrontal cortex-nucleus reuniens-hippocampus network exhibits sex-differentiated responses to stress and antidepressant treatment in rats.

Psychopharmacology·2024
Same author

Early morphological and neurochemical changes of the bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BNST) in gestational protein-restricted male offspring.

Nutritional neuroscience·2024
Same author

COVID-19 infection and vaccination in patients with hereditary angioedema: a multicentric study.

European annals of allergy and clinical immunology·2023
Same author

Imaging in gynecological disease (26): clinical and ultrasound characteristics of benign retroperitoneal pelvic peripheral-nerve-sheath tumors.

Ultrasound in obstetrics & gynecology : the official journal of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology·2023
Same author

Association of positive and negative life events with cognitive performance and psychological status in late life: A cross-sectional study in Northern Portugal.

Aging brain·2023

Area of Science:

  • Animal models in biomedical research
  • Laboratory animal science
  • Rodent welfare and identification

Background:

  • Group-housing of rodents necessitates individual identification for research integrity.
  • Limited data exists on the developmental and welfare impacts of identifying newborn mice.
  • Standard identification methods for research animals require careful evaluation for early-life application.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the effects of three identification methods (toe clipping, tattoo ink, transponder implantation) on newborn C57BL/6J mice.
  • To evaluate the long-term efficacy and welfare implications of these identification techniques.
  • To determine the impact on somatic development, neurological reflexes, behavior, and stress indicators.

Main Methods:

More Related Videos

Identification of Pre-weanling 7-Day-Old Mice with Pinna Edge Biopsies
04:06

Identification of Pre-weanling 7-Day-Old Mice with Pinna Edge Biopsies

Published on: May 23, 2025

Strategies for Assessing Autistic-Like Behaviors in Mice
07:38

Strategies for Assessing Autistic-Like Behaviors in Mice

Published on: September 20, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 19, 2026

A Pipeline using Bilateral In Utero Electroporation to Interrogate Genetic Influences on Rodent Behavior
06:59

A Pipeline using Bilateral In Utero Electroporation to Interrogate Genetic Influences on Rodent Behavior

Published on: May 21, 2020

Identification of Pre-weanling 7-Day-Old Mice with Pinna Edge Biopsies
04:06

Identification of Pre-weanling 7-Day-Old Mice with Pinna Edge Biopsies

Published on: May 23, 2025

Strategies for Assessing Autistic-Like Behaviors in Mice
07:38

Strategies for Assessing Autistic-Like Behaviors in Mice

Published on: September 20, 2024

  • Newborn C57BL/6J mice (postnatal day 5) were subjected to toe clipping, toe tattoo ink puncture, or transponder implantation.
  • Reactions to procedures were recorded; toe tissue was assessed for genotyping.
  • Somatic and neurological development were monitored postnatally.
  • Adult behavior and sensory-motor functions were evaluated using SHIRPA, Rotarod, and Elevated Plus Maze tests.
  • Postmortem thymus and adrenal gland weights were analyzed as stress indicators.

    • Main Results:

    • All methods provided effective long-term individual identification.
    • Toe clipping elicited the least distress, followed by tattoo ink; transponder implantation was most distressing.
    • Toe clipping provided sufficient tissue for genotyping.
    • No significant consistent differences in postnatal development or adult behavior/sensory-motor function were observed.
    • Organ weights did not indicate chronic stress related to any identification method.

    Conclusions:

    • Toe clipping is recommended for newborn mice requiring genotyping due to its minimal impact and suitability for genetic analysis.
    • Toe tattoo ink puncture is a viable alternative for newborn identification.
    • Transponder implantation should be reserved for older newborns or applied at weaning to minimize distress.