The authors have endeavoured to compile a guidebook on “Maintenance and Breeding of Laboratory Animals: A Guide for Beginners” to promote ethical animal research and responsible animal use. This book will serve as a manual for scientists, veterinarians, laboratory technicians and other biological and biomedical professionals concerned with animals and their use in laboratory work. We hope that it will serve as a comprehensive toolbox for post-graduate and undergraduate courses on laboratory animal breeding and different competitive exams (i.e., ICAR-JRF, ICARSRF, ICAR-NET, Agriculture Research and Civil Services). We have made every effort to be meticulous in the preparation of this edition, but we encourage feedback and suggestions for further improvements.
Mohsin Ayoub Mir Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shuhama-190006 UT of Jammu and Kashmir India.
Abdul Majeed Ganai Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shuhama-190006 UT of Jammu and Kashmir India.
Nazir Ahmad Ganai Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shuhama-190006 UT of Jammu and Kashmir India.
Tavsief Ahmad Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shuhama-190006 UT of Jammu and Kashmir India.
Ruksana Majid Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shuhama-190006 UT of Jammu and Kashmir India.
1. Historical Background...................................................................... 1
2. Introduction to Laboratory Animals ............................................. 5
3. Housing of Laboratory Animals ..................................................... 9
4. Glossary of Strains .......................................................................... 19
5. Animal Model .................................................................................. 25
6. Identification and Record Keeping in Laboratory Animals ... 39
7. Breeding in Laboratory Animals .................................................. 45
8. Mice (Mus musculus) ....................................................................... 49
9. Rat (Rattus norvegicus).................................................................... 53
10. Guinea Pig (Cavia porcellus) .......................................................... 63
11. Gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) ....................................................... 73
12. Hamster (Cricetulus griseus)........................................................... 79
13. Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) ....................................................... 87
14. Dog (Canis familaris) .....................................................................103
15. Cat (Felis catus)...............................................................................113
16. Monkey (Macaca mulatta).............................................................125
17. Ethics and Legislation for Use of Laboratory Animals in Research .....................................................................133
References .......................................................................................145
