Breeding planning for laboratory mice (2025)

Schenkel, J., Nagel-Riedasch, S., Zevnik, B. et al. 2025. Breeding planning for laboratory mice. Laboratory Animals 59(3), 415–415.

Abstract

In laboratory animal facilities, due to the rules of mammalian genetics, animals are often produced that do not possess the required genotype for planned experiments. To minimize the number of these animals that cannot be used for the intended research, specific breeding plans should be established, which is often a complex task. We have written a specialist information intended as a tool for appropriately trained individuals to generate breeding plans. This document covers the prerequisites for effective breeding planning, such as an understanding of the genetic and line characteristics that influence breeding success. Additionally, different breeding categories are introduced to facilitate the standardization of the breeding process. Guidelines are given on how to calculate the need for breeding animals and offspring within the chosen confidence framework.