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Mouse > Reproductive Management > Flashcards

Reproductive Management Flashcards

1
Q

At what age do mice and rats reach sexual maturity?

A

Mice:
Females: 30 days (4-8 weeks)
Males: 2 weeks later (6-8 weeks)
Rats:
Females: 5-9 weeks
Males: 9-12 weeks

Mice + 2 for males, Rats + 3 for males

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2
Q

What strains of mice are precocious? When can they be sexually mature?

A

DBA/2J, C3H/HeJ
Females conceive at 23 days
“Dams Conceive 23”

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3
Q

What type of uterus do mice and rats have?

A

Per BB, both bicornuate, but rats have 2 distinct cervices that appear fused distally

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4
Q

Describe the hormonal cascade of reproduction.

A

GnRH produced by hypothalamus and releases in pulses to anterior pituitary where it stimulates FSH and LH release. FSH promotes gametogenesis. LH promotes estrogen and progesterone from ovaries and triggers ovulation. LH promotes androgen from testes. Estrogen is produced by granulosa cells in developing follicles. Progesterone by CL and maintains preg. Testosterone produced by Leydig cells. Prolactin produced by pituitary gland and promotes lactation, acts as an anti-apoptotic agent for the CL to keep the CL alive, and increases differentiation of cells w/LH receptors in ovaries, leading to estrogen and progesterone release.

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5
Q

How long is the estrous cycle? Describe estrous cyclicity and ovulation.

A

4-5 days. Polyestrous, non-seasonal, spontaneous ovulators.

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6
Q

When does post-partum estrus occur?

A

12-24h after parturition. Less fertile.

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7
Q

Describe hormone levels during the stages of the estrous cycle.

A
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8
Q

Describe proestrus.

A

Peak levels of estrogen and FSH. LH surge occurs in later afternoon, ovulation 12-14h later. Influenced by diurnal rhythms. Elevated estrogen levels induce bolus of GnRH which induces LH surge.
Vulva - Vulvar swelling, slight vaginal opening, moist, pinkish mm, and longitudinal folds on labia.
Cells - Cornified and nucleated epithelial cells. No mucus or leukocytes.

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9
Q

Describe estrus.

A

Mouse: 20 hours, rats 9-15 hours.
Female most receptive to male. Typically during dark phase with mating at mid-point of dark phase.
Ovulation 12h after LH surge.
Vulva - Less pronounced swelling, larger vaginal opening, less pink mm, more pronounced longitudinal folds on labia.
Cells - Cornified epithelial cells. Slight mucus

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10
Q

Describe metestrus.

A

Low, but slowly increasing levels of estrogen. Formation of CL
Vulva - No swelling. Small vaginal opening. Dry, pale mm.
Cells - Cornified with sporadic epithelial cells. Lots of mucus and leukocytes.

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11
Q

Describe diestrus.

A

Longest stage >2 days.
Low, slowly increasing estrogen.
Vulva - No swelling, no vaginal opening, and moist/bluish mm.
Cells - Few, nucleated epithelial cells. Some mucus, many leukocytes.

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12
Q

Describe changes in vaginal smears, the uterus, and the ovary and oviduct during each stage of the estrous cycle.

A
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13
Q

Describe the differences between vaginal cytology, visual observation, and electrical impedance.

A

Cytology - Most accurate, but labor intensive. Best when all 4 stages need to be identified.
Visual - Fastest and no equipment needed. No risk of inducing pseudopregnancy or damaging vaginal epithelium.
Electrical - Detects electrical resistance of vaginal mucous membrane. Highest in proestrus and lowest in estrus, cannot differentiate the two other stages.

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14
Q

How many ejaculations occur during mating?

A

Mice: Single
Rats: 3-10 ejaculations

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15
Q

How is breeding confirmed? From what glands does this structure arise from and what function does it serve? Describe the difference between mice and rats.

A

Copulatory plug. Made from seminal vesicles and coagulating gland (anterior prostate).
Physical stimulus to sustain luteal formation and retains ejaculate in uterus. In mouse, remains for up to 48 hours, commonly 12-24 hours. In rats, plug does not persist as long, presence of sperm in vaginal smear more reliable.

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16
Q

Where does fertilization occur?

A

Ampulla

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17
Q

How long do sperm and ova maintain fertility?

A

Sperm - 6 hours
Ova - 10-12 hours

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18
Q

Implantation is dependent on what hormones? What can delay implantation? When does it occur in mice and rats?

A

Estrogen and progesterone. Postpartum estrus may delay implantation due to inhibition of GnRH secretion, resulting in low estrogen
Mouse: 4 dpf
Rat: 5-7 dpf

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19
Q

Pregnancy is maintained by what hormone produced by what tissue?

A

Progesterone produced by the CL

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20
Q

What does CL function require? What products are required to support progesterone production by the CL?

A

CL requires mating or cervical stimulation, which results in prolactin release. Prolactin (which prevents CL apoptosis and increased LH receptors on CL), LH, and placental lactogens required to support progesterone production by CL.

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21
Q

What class of compounds are placental lactogens? When are they produced?

A

Polypeptides. Produced after day 11-12.

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22
Q

What is unique regarding progesterone in the rat?

A

Placenta produces some progesterone, but not enough to sustain the pregnancy.

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23
Q

When can palpation detect a pregnancy?

A

Day 11-12

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24
Q

What type of placenta do rodents have?

A

Discoid, hemochorial placentation. Fetal chorionic epithelium in direct contact with maternal blood.

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25
Q

What is the gestation length of mice and rats?

A

Mice: 19-21 days
Rats: 21-23 days

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26
Q

Does the dam or fetus initiate parturition? How?

A

Fetus. Increase in PGF2a leads to death of CL, decrease in progesterone, and parturition.

27
Q

What is the role of oxytocin in parturition?

A

Mouse: Oxytocin (and relaxin) not required.
Rat: Oxytocin may be important. Part of Ferguson reflect whereby distension of the cervix by the fetus leads to oxytocin release.

28
Q

What is the role of oxytocin in lacation?

A

Important for milk letdown and production.

29
Q

How long does parturition last?

A

1-4 hours

30
Q

What is the role of calcium gluconate and oxytocin in dystocia?

A

Calcium gluconate increases the strength of muscle contractions. Oxytocin should not be used - Alone not helpful, has behavior, endocrine, and neurochemical effects

31
Q

When does the milk spot disappear?

A

Around day 4.

32
Q

When do mice and rats begin to open their eyes?

A

Mice: 11 days
Rats: 14-17 days

33
Q

At what weight can mice be weaned?

A

10 grams

34
Q

How much tail tissue should be collected for a tail biopsy?

A

< or equal to 5mm

35
Q

Describe the universal ear punching system.

A
36
Q

Describe toe clipping for identification.

A

Back paws preferred and don’t use first digit to preserve grip strength. No more than one digit total/per paw
Distal phalanx only
Aseptic technique
May be preferred for neonatal pups under 7 days

37
Q

How is pseudopregnancy ended in mice and rats?

A

Mice: Lack of embryos leads to PGF2a secretion by uterus and CL regression. Ends by 10-13 days
Rats: Unknown

38
Q

Describe the Lee-Boot effect.

A

In mice and rats. Spontaneous pseudopreg aka estrous suppression in group-housed females. Requires pheromone cues and continuous exposure to maintain.

39
Q

Describe the Whitten effect.

A

Mice. Estrus synchronized in group of female mice after exposure to male urine. Estrus in 72 hours.

40
Q

Describe the Bruce effect.

A

In mice. Pheromones from strange male mouse prevent implantation or pseudopreg in recently bred females. Must occur prior to implantation on day 4. Female will mate with new male within 3-6 days of failed preg.

41
Q

Described the Vandebergh effect.

A

Mice and rats.
Exposure of immature females to urine from mature males hastens onset of puberty. Opposite if exposed to urine of mature female mice.

42
Q

At what age are females ready for breeding? What occurs in mice paired for the first time at > 3 months of age?

A

6-8 weeks (BALB/c at 4 weeks). Mice mated at older ages less likely to breed.

43
Q

What male mice should be paired with younger females?

A

Pair older, proven males.

44
Q

What is the optimum breeding life for animals?

A

Females: 7-8 months
Males: 10-12 months

45
Q

Which number litter is typically the largest? Which litter typically has the largest pup size?

A

2nd and 3rd
1st

46
Q

Which mice tend to be good breeders/mothers?

A

FVB/N, NOD/ShiLT, BALB/c, CD-1
“Not Shitty, Can1 Favor Babies”

47
Q

Which mice tend to be poor breeders?

A

SJL, NZB, 129, DBA/2
“Numbers Show JL, Damn NZ Breeders”

48
Q

What impacts the fertility of AKR and C3H/HeJ mice?

A

AKR develop leukemia by 6 months
C3H/HeJ develop ovarian cysts

49
Q

What strains of mice develop hydrocephaly and hydronephrosis?

A

C57BL/6

50
Q

What strains develop vaginal septums?

A

BALB/cJ and C57BL/6J.
Jacksons

51
Q

What light cycle is preferred for breeding?

A

14 light/10 dark

52
Q

What temperature and humidity is preferred for breeding?

A

65-75F, 40-55% humidity

53
Q

What can falling barometric pressure result in?

A

Hyperactivity

54
Q

What season is most productive for breeding?

A

Summer and early fall

55
Q

What percent of dietary fat is recommended for inbred strains and wild-derived and DBA/2 mice?

A

Inbred: 11%
Wild-derived and DBA/2: 4%
Obesity can reduce efficiency

56
Q

What are recommended space allowances for a female with a litter? A trio pair with two litters?

A

51 sq in. 117 sq in

57
Q

How to prepare the male for a timed mating?

A

Expose to 2 young virgin females for a week, then rest for 1-2 weeks. Proves his fertility and allows time for sperm and libido recovery. Use male at 3-4 months.

58
Q

How to prepare a female for timed mating.

A

Group house females to synchronize estrus. Expose to male urine after 10-14 days of housing. Will enter estrus on the 3rd night following exposure.

59
Q

How many females can a single male service in a night?

A

1-2 females

60
Q

How close in age should the foster dam’s pups be to the litter to be fostered?

A

1-2 days.

61
Q

How is superovulation induced in mice and rats?

A

Treated with PMSG (homologue of FSH) Then hCG (homologue of LH) 44-46 hours later. Mate with male. At day 0.5 have 1-cell stage. At day 3.5 (mouse) or 5 (rat) have blastocyst.

62
Q

Where is an embryo for ET placed at each stage of development?

A

Oviduct at 0.5 day pseudopregnant. Uterine horn at 2.5 days pseudopregnant.

63
Q

When does hysterectomy rederivation occur?

A

> or equal to 18.5 days gestation.

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