Isolator rodent caging systems: a critical review (1999)

Lipman, N. S.

Abstract

The past 15 years have brought remarkable changes to the way we house rodents used in research. These changes coincided and, to a great extent, were driven by a marked increase in the use of genetically engineered mice. Notable changes included the routine use of isolator cages and more recently, the transition to individually ventilated isolator caging systems. Although many of the newer systems offer considerable advantages, they are highly capital intensive. Importantly, users must recognize the operational differences among various caging systems to select those appropriate to specific applications. In this review, a historical perspective, review of the limited experimental data pertaining to system evaluations, overview of design and operation of commercially available ventilated caging systems (VCS), and review of selection preferences on the basis of the intended application will be provided. The reader should also recognize the extensive degree of change that continues to occur with respect to the design of isolator caging systems, variety of systems offered, and number of vendors manufacturing them.