Use of Loss of Righting Reflex to Assess Susceptibility to Carbon Dioxide Gas in Three Mouse Strains

Exposure to CO₂ gas is a common rodent euthanasia method. CO₂ activates nociceptors in rats and is painful to humans at concentrations equal to or greater than 32.5% The concentration of CO₂ at which rodents become unconsciousness is inadequately defined. We used loss of righting reflex (LORR) to identify the concentration at which CO₂ caused loss of consciousness in C57Bl/6, CD1 and 129P3J mice (16 females and 16 males per strain). We used a custom built, rotating, motorized cylinder to determine LORR as CO₂ concentrations were increased. Two LORR assessment methods were used: 1) a 1-Paw assessment in which the righting reflex was considered to be present if one or more paws contacted the cylinder after rotation into dorsal recumbency and 2) a 4-Paw assessment in which the righting reflex was considered to be present only if all 4 paws contacted the cylinder. LORR test data were analyzed with Probit regression and dose response curves were plotted. 1-Paw EC₉₅ values (CO₂ concentration at which LORR occurred for 95% of the population) were: C57Bl/6; 30.7%, CD1; 26.2%, 129P3J; 20.1%. The EC₉₅ for C57Bl/6 was significantly higher than that of the 129P3J mice, with no significant differences between other strains. Four-Paw EC₉₅ values were: C57Bl/6; 22.8%, CD1; 25.3%, 129P3J; 20.1%. Values for 129P3J mice were significantly lower than those of CD1 mice), with no significant difference between other strains. The EC₉₅ varied significantly between 1-Paw and 4-Paw methods only for C57Bl/6 mice. These results suggest a potential for nociception and pain to occur in some individuals of some mouse strains during CO₂ euthanasia.