Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 10, 2026
Monitoring Dynamic Growth of Retinal Vessels in Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy Mouse Model
Published on: April 2, 2021
Optimization of the oxygen-induced retinopathy model in mice and its impact on retinal angiogenesis
Wang Qing1, Ren Bangqi1, Mi Yu1
1Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University(Southwest Hospital), China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Visual Injury and Regeneration, China.
Purpose:
To establish a simple, highly stable, and ethically compliant mouse model for in-depth investigation of oxygen-induced retinopathy.
Methods:
C57BL/6J pups were subjected to the oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) model using either a modified protocol (with Kunming surrogate dams) or the traditional protocol (cross-fostering with C57 dams alternated every 12 h). The effectiveness of the modified protocol was evaluated by comparing pup survival rates, weight changes, and the percentage of retinal neovascularization.
Results:
The modified protocol significantly improved pup survival, with over 50 % of animals surviving to the experimental endpoint at postnatal day 17 (P17). The median survival time for this group was not reached, far exceeding the traditional group's 7.00 days (Log-Rank χ2 = 30.04, P < 0.0001). Mortality risk was 30.72 times higher in the traditional group (95 % CI: 13.41-70.36). Additionally, pups in the modified group exhibited greater weight gain (P = 0.002) and increased pathological retinal neovascularization (11.39 % vs. 2.60 %; P = 0.0001). However, there was no significant difference in the avascular area between groups (modified: 25.71 % [IQR: 11.86 %] vs. traditional: 23.10 % [IQR: 12.13 %], P = 0.165).
Conclusion:
The Kunming surrogate protocol significantly enhances the modeling efficiency and pup survival rate in oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR), while concurrently reducing experimental animal consumption and costs.
