Acquiring, recording, and analyzing pathology data from experimental mice: an overview

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Pathology
• Experimental Pathology
• Translational Research

Background:

• Pathology is an underutilized endpoint in academic mouse studies due to limited expertise.
• Traditional pathology techniques like necropsy and microscopy are crucial for understanding disease phenotypes.
• These methods facilitate comparisons between experimental models and human diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a guide for acquiring, recording, and analyzing pathology data from experimental mice.
• To enhance the utilization of pathology as a key endpoint in academic research.
• To serve as a reference for researchers lacking extensive pathology experience.

Main Methods:

• Detailed protocols for necropsy procedures in mice.
• Guidelines for macroscopic and microscopic tissue examination.
• Best practices for data recording and statistical analysis of pathology findings.

Main Results:

• Emphasizes the value of systematic pathology in identifying underlying disease mechanisms.
• Demonstrates how robust pathology data supports translational research efforts.
• Highlights the importance of standardized methods for reliable results.

Conclusions:

• Standardized pathology techniques are essential for robust data in mouse studies.
• Increased expertise and utilization of pathology can bridge the gap to human disease research.
• This guide aims to empower academic researchers to effectively implement pathology endpoints.