Animal Program: Genotyping of Mice and Rats

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Policy Number:
UW-4096
Old Policy Number:
2010-038-v
Responsible Office:
Research Animal Resources and Compliance

University Policy

Rationale/​Purpose:

To establish consistent standards for genotyping of mice and rats in the UW–Madison animal program.

Policy:
  1. The proper genetic identification of animals in a litter is critical to the efficient pursuit of research and in reducing the number of animals involved in a research project. Most often the genotype is determined by analysis of DNA extracted from tissues of young rodents. Analysis by the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) requires the least amount of DNA.
  2. DNA for PCR analysis can be obtained from ear punches, hair, fecal samples, oral or rectal swabs 1-9.  Depending on the requirements of the study, investigators are urged to consider these noninvasive alternatives.
  3. Larger amounts of DNA are required for Southern Blot determination of the genotype.
    1. Obtaining tissue from a mouse or rat for DNA analysis via tail biopsy is a safe, effective, and humane procedure that causes minimal or transient pain and distress when performed properly.
    2. An alternative method is the removal of one of the distal phalanges of a foot ("toe clipping"), which has the added advantage of permanently identifying the animal.
  4. DNA prepared from tail biopsies or toe clips is suitable for analysis by either Southern Blot or PCR.
  5. Principal investigators are encouraged to use the least invasive alternative possible.
  6. If animals are genotyped, they must be accounted for in the animal numbers.
Procedure:

Tail Biopsy

  • Procedures for tail biopsy for DNA analysis and/or genotyping must be described in an approved Animal Care and Use Protocol. If animals are genotyped, they must be accounted for in the animal numbers.
  • Mice and rats must be 21 days old or less at the time of tail biopsy if no anesthesia is used. The optimal time is age 12-14 days14. At this age the yield of DNA is highest 8, 10, 11. In addition, the prompt analysis of tail tissue allows the genetically desirable animals to be identified prior to weaning which will facilitate more efficient use of cage space.
  • For animals more than 21 days old, local or general anesthesia is required prior to collection of tissue as well as peri-operative analgesia as recommended by a laboratory animal veterinarian. This must be described in the approved Animal Care and Use Protocol.
  • Samples between 2 and 5 mm may be taken. The yield of DNA does not proportionally increase as tail fragments larger than 5 mm are used due to the presence of cartilage and bone that are not as rich in DNA as the more metabolically active distal end.14 Requests to sample greater amounts must be requested in the context of an animal use protocol and approved by the ACUC.
  • All animals must be monitored to assure effective hemostasis. Hemostasis can be achieved by methods such as digital pressure, cautery, or the use of silver nitrate.
  • Repeat tail biopsies on animals older than 21 days require anesthesia and analgesia and must be justified in the Animal Care and Use Protocol and approved by the ACUC.

Toe Clipping

  • Procedures for toe clipping for DNA analysis and/or genotyping must be described in an approved Animal Care and Use Protocol.
  • Toe clipping may only be used when no other method of individual identification is feasible12. Typically, toe clipping should not be used when other methods of individual identification are feasible. However, toe clipping may be the preferred method if it is also used for genotyping and/or to uniquely identify large numbers of animals.
  • Mice and rats must be 7 days old or less at the time of toe clipping. Performing the procedure at day 7 is technically easier than earlier when toes have not completely separated13. In addition, the prompt analysis of toe tissue allows the genetically desirable animals to be identified prior to weaning which will facilitate more efficient use of cage space.
  • No more than one toe per front foot may be sampled; the front feet should not be sampled if future experimental use could include tests of grip strength. Up to two toes may be removed from rear feet. No more than four toes total/animal may be removed.
  • All animals must be monitored to assure effective hemostasis. Hemostasis can be achieved by methods such as digital pressure, cautery, or the use of silver nitrate.
  • If repeat genotyping is necessary, another method must be utilized for DNA collection.

Ear Punching

  • Procedures for ear punching for DNA analysis and/or genotyping must be described in an approved Animal Care and Use Protocol.
  • Mice and rats can be ear punched at any age after the ears have separated from the head during neonatal development. The prompt analysis of ear tissue allows genetically desirable animals to be identified prior to weaning.
  • Ear punching can be used as both a method of identification and of tissue collection for genotyping.
  • It is recommended to use a 2 mm ear punch, since 1 mm punches do not provide enough tissue for DNA analysis.
  • No anesthesia or analgesia is required for ear punching.
  • If additional genotyping is necessary, ear punching can be repeated.
External References:

1 Hofstetter JR, Zhang A, Mayeda AR, Guscar, T, Nurnberger JI and Lahiri DK. Genomic DNA from Mice: A Comparison of Recovery Methods and Tissue Sources. Biochem Mol Med 1997 Dec; 62(2):197-202. [Return to text]

2 Dennis, MB. IACUC Review of Genetic Engineering. Lab Animal 2000 Mar; 29(3):34-37.

3 Irwin MH, Moffatt RJ and Pinkert CA. Identification of Transgenic Mice by PCR Analysis of Saliva. Nat Biotechnol 1996 Sep;14(9): 1146-8.

4 Schmitteckert EM, Prokop CM and Hedrich HJ. DNA Detection in Hair of Transgenic Mice - A Simple Technique Minimizing the Distress on the Animals. Laboratory Animals 1999; 33/4: 385-389.

5 Couse JF, Davis VL, Tally WC and Korach KS. An Improved Method of Genomic DNA Extraction for Screening Transgenic Mice. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health. BioTechniques 1994; 17:1030-1032.

6 Malumbres M, Mangues R, Ferrer N, Lu S and Pellicer A. Isolation of High Molecular Weight DNA for Reliable Genotyping of Transgenic Mice. BioTechniques 1997; 22/6:1114-1119.

7 Broome RL, Feng L, Zhou Q, Smith A, Hahn N, Matsui SM, Omary MB. Noninvasive Transgenic Mouse Genotyping Using Stool Analysis. FEBS Lett 1999; 462:159-160.

8 Pinkert CA. Transgenic Animal Technology: Alternatives in Genotyping and Phenotyping. Comp Med 2003; 53/2:126- 139. [Return to text]

9 Meldgaard M, Bollen PJA, Finsen B. Non-invasive method for sampling and extraction of mouse DNA for PCR. Laboratory Animals 2004; 38:413-417.

10 Shinohara H. The Musculature of the Mouse Tail is Characterized by Metameric Arrangements of Bicipital Muscles. Okajimas Folia Anat Jpn 1999; 76-157-169. [Return to text]

11 Hankenson FC, Garzel LM, Fischer DD, Nolan B, and Hankenson KD. Evaluation of tail biopsy collection in laboratory mice (Mus musculus): vertebral ossification, DNA quantity, and acute behavioral responses. JAALAS 2008, 47(6): 10- 18. [Return to text]

12 ILAR Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. National Academy Press, Washington D.C. 2011. [Return to text]

13 Castelhano-Carlos MJ, Sousa N, Ohl F, Baumans V. Identification methods in newborn C57BL/6 mice: A developmental and behavioural evaluation. Lab Animal 2010; 4:88-103. [Return to text]

14 Guidelines for the Genotyping of Mice and Rats, Revised 05/12/10. Animal Research Advisory Committee, National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Animal Care and Use. [Return to text]

Policy Administration

Approval Authority:
Chief Campus Veterinarian
Policy Manager:
Chief Campus Veterinarian
Contact:
IACUC Administrator -- IACUC Administrator, iacuc_administrator@rarc.wisc.edu, (608) 262-1238
Effective Date:
06-08-2010
Date Issued:
06-08-2010
Revised Dates:

03-01-2011, 08-01-2017, 02-01-2018

Reviewed Dates:

02/01/2018

Retrieved:
01-17-2025 06:48:23