Computer record keeping in a large rodent colony.

Area of Science:

• Laboratory animal science
• Bioinformatics
• Animal husbandry

Background:

• Effective record-keeping is crucial for managing inbred rodent breeding colonies.
• Manual record-keeping can be labor-intensive and prone to errors.
• The need for efficient data management in research animal facilities is growing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and implement an automated information system for inbred rodent breeding colonies.
• To improve the accuracy and efficiency of data collection and management.
• To provide timely and comprehensive reports for colony management.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of keyboard terminals in breeding rooms for direct data entry.
• Utilizing a local mini-computer for data collection, editing, and short-term storage.
• Leveraging a remote large computer center for permanent data storage and report generation.

Main Results:

• The system facilitated recording of births, weanings, animal assignments, dispositions, and health observations.
• Daily reports were available within 24 hours, providing immediate feedback.
• Weekly compilations and on-demand special reports (e.g., pedigrees) were generated.

Conclusions:

• The automated system significantly improved the management of inbred rodent breeding colonies.
• It enhanced data accessibility and reduced the time required for record-keeping.
• The system provides a valuable tool for maintaining accurate breeding colony data and generating essential reports.