Description

Introduction to Laboratory Animals Laboratory animals are animals with clear genetic backgrounds and strict genetic control, serving as essential tools in human medical research. They include multiple species such as mice, rats, monkeys, rabbits, dogs, pigs, chickens, ground squirrels, cats, and guinea pigs, with mice and rats being the most commonly used.

Laboratory Animals are Classified into Inbred Strains, Closed Colonies, and Hybrid Groups Based on Genetic Characteristics

Most Commonly Used Mouse and Rat Inbred Strains and Closed Colonies

Genetic Quality Authentication of Mice and Rats Laboratory animals must have clear genetic backgrounds and require genetic control; otherwise, genetic factors may interfere with experimental results. Many life science studies require high genetic homogeneity, stability, and homozygosity in laboratory animals. This raises the issue of genetic quality and monitoring. Annual genetic quality authentication is essential. The main factors leading to unqualified laboratory animals are: 1. Possible mislabeling when multiple strains are housed together during breeding; 2. Accumulation of spontaneous mutations leading to genetic characteristics gradually differing from early generation strains; 3. Inappropriate parent matching in closed colony breeding causing inbreeding.

The current national standard for laboratory animal genetic quality control is “GB14923-2010 Laboratory Animals – Genetic Quality Control of Mammalian Laboratory Animals,” which stipulates that inbred strains and closed colonies require regular (annual) genetic testing to ensure genetic quality.

Genetic Quality Testing Methods Mentioned in National Standard GB14923-2010

Currently, besides GB14923-2010, mouse and rat genetic quality authentication mainly refers to the Chinese Laboratory Animal Science Association standard “T/CALAS21-2017 Laboratory Animals – Detection Methods for Microsatellite DNA Markers in Mice and Rats.” This group standard specifies STR schemes for mouse and rat genetic quality authentication. The new national standard plan “Laboratory Animals – SNP Marker Detection Methods for Inbred Mice and Rats” was issued on November 19, 2020, and is currently being drafted.

Multiplex PCR & Next-Generation High-Throughput Sequencing for Mouse Genetic Quality Authentication For mouse inbred strains and closed colonies, Biowing Bio selected 150 SNP loci from Jackson Laboratory’s 2000 SNPs, employing multiplex PCR library construction technology combined with next-generation sequencing for SNP genotyping, with custom software for Jackson database comparison. The selected SNP markers can accurately identify all inbred mouse strains, with strain differences ranging from 3 to 73 SNPs, averaging 53 differential sites. This optimization significantly reduces costs while maintaining identification accuracy.

Multiplex Fluorescent PCR & ABI3730 Platform STR Genotyping for Rat Genetic Quality Authentication Biowing’s rat genetic quality authentication service follows the STR primer scheme from T/CALAS21-2017, utilizing multiplex fluorescent PCR for STR typing. Population genetic parameters are calculated using genetic analysis software to determine qualification status according to T/CALAS21-2017 standards.

Sample Submission Process and Timeline Mouse and rat genetic quality authentication testing period: 2-3 weeks.