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Updated: Sep 12, 2025
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A Phenotyping Regimen for Genetically Modified Mice Used to Study Genes Implicated in Human Diseases of Aging
Published on: July 14, 2016
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Variability of test parameters from mice of different age groups in published data sets
1Chair for Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
Plos One
|August 7, 2025
Summary
Older mice exhibit greater phenotypic variability in biomedical research, impacting body composition, blood parameters, and behavior. This highlights the need to consider age-related changes in animal models for accurate research outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Research
- Animal Models
- Phenotypic Variability
Background:
- Standardized animal models, like mice, are crucial for reproducible biomedical research.
- Phenotypic variability, influenced by genetics, environment, and protocols, can affect research outcomes.
- Understanding age-related changes in phenotypic variability is essential for interpreting mouse model data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze and compare the phenotypic variability of test parameters in genetically identical mice of different age groups (early adults vs. late adults).
- To identify specific parameters that exhibit increased variability in older versus younger mice.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of published datasets from genetically identical mice (C57BL/6NJ and C57BL/6N substrains).
- Inclusion of data from JaxKOMP, International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium (IMPC), Mouse Phenome Database (MPD), and RIKEN BioResource Research Center (RBRC).
- Calculation of the coefficient of variation (CV) for morphological, blood, and behavioral parameters, comparing young and old mouse groups.
Main Results:
- Late adult mice consistently showed higher phenotypic variability in body weight (lean and fat mass), particularly females.
- Hematology and immunology parameters also exhibited increased variability in late adults, especially in females.
- Clinical chemistry parameters were generally less affected, while echocardiography and electrocardiogram showed no significant differences. Behavioral tests also indicated higher variability in older mice.
Conclusions:
- Age significantly influences phenotypic variability in genetically identical mice, with older adults generally displaying higher variability.
- Unpredictable genotype-environment-experiment interactions contribute to this increased variability in aging mouse models.
- Researchers must account for age-related phenotypic variability to ensure the validity and reproducibility of biomedical research findings.
