T/F Some animal husbandry tasks are simple and repetitive but this does not imply that they are easy to do well.
True
What is the objective of husbandry tasks?
To provide a calm and comfortable environment for the animals so sthey remain healthy and free from stress as much as possible
Name Three tradeoffs that influence the choice of mice cage system
Cost, convenience and effectiveness
Name four functions of cage systems
Housing, feeding, watering, room organization, disease protection
What are the three types of mice cage systems?
Conventional cages
Microisolators
IVC
Which cage system is…
Less expensive?
That gives more protection?
With less air circulation?
That needs more frequent cage change?
Conventional
IVC
Microisolator
Convetional
What does HEPA stand for?
High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter
In top covered filter cages, poor air circulation can affect intra cage…
a. temperature
b. ammonia level
c. humidity
d. all of above
d. all of above
T/F Having mice housed in microisolators or IVCs means work with mice can be done on open table
False
T/F In conventional cages, air circulation is determined exclusively by room air circulation
False
Air circulation in cages is determined
by room circulation and by air flow
caused by the thermal heat load of the
mice pg 202
What are the two factors that influence air circulation in conventional cages?
Air circulation in conventional open top cages is determined by room circulation and by air flow
caused by the thermal heat load of the
mice pg 202
What cage system protect mice from pathogens and also personnel from allergens?
IVC
What cage system allows reduce change frequency? Why?
IVC
Cages remain dry, which may
reduce cage change frequency and
labor expense.
T/F Cages made with polyphenyl-sulfone are highly recommended if they will be exposed to quaternary ammonium cleaners
True
Caging made of polyphenyl-sulfone or other chemically resistant material is highly recommended if there is any
possibility of exposure to quaternary ammonium cleaners or other high pH agents pg 202
T/F Ventilation in individually ventilated cages can result in drafts inside it, which can induce stress in mice
True
T/F When caging mice of different size, floor space assigned to all is related to the one assigned for the largest mouse.
True
What are the two main systems to watering mice?
Automatic & bottle based
Name three disadvantages of automatic watering system
• It requires a capital expense.
• System must be maintained (per
manufacturer’s instructions) to prevent
buildup of mold and bacteria.
• Some mice may need “training” to learn
how to use an automatic system.
• It is difficult to determine water usage
for specific cages.
• Leakage in some systems may cause
mice to drown if cages fill with water.
• Cages must be checked daily
Name two advantages of bottle –based watering system from the automatic one
• Water usage per cage can
be easily monitored.
• Sterilization of bottles and
lids is very
straightforward; pathogen
protection is high.
• Treatments can be easily
provided in the water on a
cage-specific basis.
T/F Plastic bags filled with water can be stored for longterm and are a viable option to include in an emergency plan
True
T/F Light period recommended for both maintenance and breeding are 12:12 L:D
False
Normal:12:12 L:D
Breeding: 14:10 L:D
Recommendation of room air changes per hour are
a. 5 - 10
b. 10 – 15
c. 15 – 20
d. 20 – 25
b. 10 – 15
Recommendation for relative humidity in room environment is
a. 20-25%
b. 10-40%
c. 30-70%
d. 50-90%
c. 30-70%
What are the recommended ranges (Guide) for the following environmental conditions for mice?
Temp
Relative humidity
Air flow
Light period
Light intensity
Noise
Temp = 20-26C (28-79F)
Relative humidity = 30-70%
Air flow = 10-15 fresh air changes per hour
Light period = timing should ensure a regular diurnal cycle
Light intensity = 130-325 lux at cage level
Noise = sounds > 85 dB are associated with auditory and non auditory effects
T/F A light cycle of 12:12 L:D is recommended for breeding, whereas 14:10 L:D is recommended for maintenance
False
12: 12 L:D for maintenance
14: 10 L:D for breeding
What level of noise can induce seizures in certain mice strains?
a. 75 dBA
b. 85 dBA
c. 95 dBA
d. 105 dBA
c. 95 dBA
Light intensity standard for worker safety is…
a. 10 foot candles at 1 meter from floor
b. 20 foot candles at 1 meter from floor
c. 30 foot candles at 1 meter from floor
d. 40 foot candles at 1 meter from floor
a. 10 foot candles at 1 meter from floo
T/F Mice prefer low light levels rather than higher ones
True
Temperature recommendations for mice room are…
a. 17-26ºC
b. 19-28ºC
c. 21-30ºC
d. 23-32ºC
a. 17-26ºC
What are the three functions of bedding?
Provides warmth, absorbing moisture, environmental enrichment
T/F Bedding has no influence in bacterial microenvironment
False
Bedding affects
the bacterial microenvironment and thus affects the rate at which bacteria break down urea to
produce ammonia in the cage.
T/F Bacteria produce ammonia from urea in the age at same rate independently of the type of bedding
False
Bedding affects
the bacterial microenvironment and thus affects the rate at which bacteria break down urea to
produce ammonia in the cage.
T/F Pellets of corn cob and hardwood shavings are physiologically inert for mice.
True
No changes produced in p450 enzymes
What type of bedding is not good for nesting?
a. Recycled paper
b. cedar softwood
c. pellets of corn cob
d. cotton material
c. pellets of corn cob
additional nesting
material may be required.
Which one of the next bedding material is least absorbent?
a. softwood shaving
b. pellets of corn cob
c. cotton material
d. cellulose chips
b. pellets of corn cob
Which one of the next bedding material is most absorbent?
a. recycled paper
b. cellulose chips
c. cotton material
d. hardwood shavings
a. recycled paper: provides superior absorbency and ammonia control
c. cotton material: is highly absorbent and is good for ammonia control when shredded
T/F Recycled paper as bedding may be irritating for nude mice because they no have eyelashes
True
Which bedding type is not considered physiologically inert because they induce cytochrome p450 enzymes?
Cedar shavings elevate expression of
hepatic p450 enzyme systems
Day to day care for mice involves:
a. protect them from pathogens
b. keep them feed and watered
c. maintain their genetic integrity
d. all of above
d. all of above
Name four ways of pathogen entry in mice colonies
new mice from other colonies
humans
supplies
air
T/F Procedures to protect personnel from mice allergens are different from those to protect mice from pathogen
False
Procedures that protect animals from human-borne
pathogens also protect technicians from animalborne
allergens.
What is the general recommendation for personnel who have to work in different mouse colonies during the same day?
If technicians or researchers must visit multiple mouse
rooms in a single day, they must start in the room with the highest level of pathogen protection
and work their way down to the rooms with lower levels.
T/F Signs in mice that might indicate illness include non-responsiveness to routine cage disturbance and unusual fighting
True
T/F The level protection provided when investigators are working with their mice must be at least equal to that of the cages in which they are housed. This same standard need not be applied during cage change.
False
Procedures for changing cages involve distribution of clean cages, food and water, removal of
used and dirty cages, cage contents, and equipment, all performed under requirements that meet
or exceed the level of pathogen protection for any single room.
What is the frequency recommended for changing out conventional cages?
a. weekly
b. biweekly
c. twice a week
d. as needed
a. weekly
Name the two procedures that can be used to transfer mice between cages.
Gloved hand
Dressing forceps
What is the recommended minimum age of mice to be transfer by forceps?
a. 10 days
b. 15 days
c. 20 days
d. 30 days
b. 15 days
T/F To prevent pathogen spread from cage to cage, it is recommended to sanitize forceps or gloves between them
True
To prevent fights while changing male mice…
a. randomize them from different cages
b. change cage monthly
c. place a small lump of dirty shavings in the new cage
d. all of above
c. place a small lump of dirty shavings in the new cage
What is the best way to avoid mistakes when perform cage changing?
Work with a detailed standard operating procedure and train personnel adequately
T/F To avoid escapes during cage changing, never have two cages open at the same time
True
To ensure that food and water are not entry points for pathogens into the mouse room, food should be:
a. pasteurized
b. sterilized
c. irradiated
d. all of above
d. all of above
How much do “normal” mice eat and drink
each day?
Per 10 g of body weight:
mice fed ad libitum consume
approximately 1.5 g of dry pelleted food per day
and drink 1.5 ml of water per day.
Which of the following may be used to minimize genetic contamination…
a. house different strains in different rooms
b. if strains sharing same room it is better they have different coat colors
c. keep meticulous records
d. all of above
d. all of above
Which of the following is the most sensitive indicator of stress in mice?
a. stereotypic behavior
b. dominance beahviour
c. reproductive performance
d. barbering
c. reproductive performance
Many strains of laboratory mice are blind and/or deaf by what age?
a. 4 month old
b. 8 month old
c. 12 months old
d. 16 month old
b. 8 month old
Probably the greatest single source of enrichment to a mouse is…
another mouse
T/F: Aggression appears to be more common among males of specific strains (for example, SJL/J and most BALB/c strains) and is much more likely to occur among unrelated males who are first caged together after they are sexually mature.
True
T/F: When group-housing males who have not previously lived together, use a clean cage, and try not to transfer any scents from any of the used cages to the new one.
True
T/T: Wild-derived inbred mice, which were trapped in the wild and inbred without domestication,
generally are less sensitive than common inbred strains to stresses associated with shipping,
new surroundings, and new handlers.
False
These mice are typically MORE sensitive to stresses
T/F: Aggression is particularly prevalent among mice of the CZECHII/Ei strain and in progeny of any crosses involving Mus musculus castaneus.
True