Genetic reliability of commercially-bred laboratory mice

Abstract

An analysis of 20 mouse colonies from 10 different breeders sampled over a period of up to a year using the mandible-analysis technique revealed 3 major cases of lack of authenticity: supply of mice as a pure strain from a colony founded by an unidentified cross: blending of 2 or 3 stocks into a single colony the offspring of which were sold under 3 different names, none of which were authentic; differences between nominally identical stock from 2 sources. These findings are discussed in relation to previously published information using named strains, and a genetic monitoring scheme for commercial breeders is proposed. © 1974, Royal Society of Medicine Press. All rights reserved.