Breeding, allocation and maintenance of mice for a large, long-term carcinogenic study (ED01 study)

The breeding, allocation and maintenance data on BALB/c female mice in a 24, 192 mouse chronic carcinogen feeding study are discussed. In establishing the breeding colony, standard derivation techniques were used to develop a barrier-maintained production capability. Genetic histories and other breeding colony records were maintained with the assistance of a computer-supported Breeding Information System. A computer-supported allocation system provided the link between the breeding and experimental portion of the study. Once allocated to the experiment, the mice were weighed and observed weekly; feed consumption data was also collected. All animal and cage information was entered directly into the computer data base via special terminals and electronic balance units. From this experiment's data base, daily and weekly reports were generated which provided valuable information for the operational and scientific management of the experiment.