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IACUC / LARC STANDARD PROCEDURES
Body Condition Scoring of Mice (Posted
February 2008)
Description of procedure:
Scoring the body condition of rodents is a non-invasive method for assessing health and establishing endpoints for adults where body weight is not a viable monitoring tool, such as with tumor models, ascites production and pregnancy, or young growing animals.
Body condition scores (BCS) range from 1(emaciation) to 5 (obesity). An anticipated BCS of 2 - underconditioned - or lower, requires justification in the protocol.
Scores are determined by frequent visual and hands-on examination of each animal. The hands-on evaluation is done by gently holding the mouse by the base of the tail and passing a finger over the sacroiliac bones. The findings are matched to the descriptions and diagrams below to determine a score. Scores must be documented for each animal.
Literature search words required:
Literature search was performed for refinement of this Standard Procedure on November 20, 2007.
| Key Words |
Search Site |
Years Covered |
| Body condition index in rodents, rodent endpoint alternatives |
AWIC |
Full database up to present |
| Body condition index in rodents, rodent endpoint alternatives |
Google |
Full database up to present |
Agents:
All agents administered to animals should be listed
in the "Agents" section of RIO.
Adverse Effects:
| Procedure, Agent or Phenotype |
Potential Adverse Effects |
Management |
| Weight loss >15% |
Loss of muscle mass and fat stores. |
Euthanasia when an animal is at the BCS endpoint described in the protocol. |
Monitoring Parameters:
| Monitoring Parameters |
Frequency |
PI/Lab will Document |
General appearance/activity level
Body condition assessment |
Daily once animals reach a BCS of 2. A score of 2 or less must be justified in the protocol and may require consultation with a LARC veterinarian to determine endpoints or monitoring frequency. |
Yes, Lab will document daily after animals reach BCS of 2. |
| Describe the conditions, complications, and criteria
(e.g. uncontrolled infection, loss of more than 15% body weight, etc.) that would
lead to removal of an animal from the study, and describe how this will be
accomplished (e.g. stopping treatment, euthanasia). |
| BCS of 1.9 or lower |
| For all investigators housing animals with tumor formation,
skin lesions, neurological deficits, or that are in Category E, list the expected
characteristics/clinical presentations and endpoints of the animal model and the
criteria for euthanasia. Note: The IACUC also requires such lists to be posted in the
respective animal rooms and monitored by the IACUC compliance staff and LARC, to assure
PI adherence to the endpoints listed. |
| vertebral column and pelvic bones are evident/reduced skin cover (see BCS diagram) |
Reference
1 Mollie H. Lillma-Cullere
2 Charmain J Foltz
Body Conidtion Scoring: A Rapid and Accurate Method for Assessing Health Status in Mice
Lab. Animal Science; Vol 49 (3) 319-323, 1999
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