Multi-Organ Collection from Mouse Models for Aging Studies.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Comparative Anatomy
• Histology

Background:

• Aging is a complex biological process impacting all organs and tissues.
• Age-related changes manifest structurally, cellularly, and molecularly.
• Standardized methods are crucial for reproducible aging research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline a reproducible protocol for evaluating age-related anatomical and morphological changes in mice.
• To detail comprehensive organ collection for histological and molecular analyses.
• To facilitate integrative analyses of organismal aging.

Main Methods:

• Utilized young (2-3 months) and aged (20-24 months) mice.
• Developed step-by-step procedures for gross anatomical dissection and systematic organ harvesting.
• Included detailed protocols for downstream sectioning, histological staining, and microscopic evaluation.

Main Results:

• Established a workflow for collecting a wide array of organs (brain, heart, liver, kidney, etc.) from single animals.
• Maximized data yield per subject, supporting ethical animal use (reduction).
• Enabled systematic evaluation of age-related changes across multiple organ systems.

Conclusions:

• The protocol provides a standardized and reproducible approach for aging research.
• Facilitates comparative analyses between young and aged biological samples.
• Enhances the efficiency and ethical considerations of mouse-based aging studies.