f6098d8b__and_Use_of_Laboratory_Animals__Comments
[ID] 54 [Entry Date] 04/04/2011 at 12:14:42 PM [Affiliation] Organization [Organization Name] Thomas Jefferson University [Organization City and State] Philadelphia, PA [Comments] 
Comment 1: Expanding the required amount of cage space for housing experimental mice in breeding protocols would have several negative effects that should be considered. First, during these trying economic times not being able to use breeding trios will double an investigator's expense for breeding cages. Also, the use of trios ensures that if one female perishes there is another lactating female who can nurse the pups. This prevents young pups from starving to death. For certain strains it has been published previously that the males help the mother at times by laying on the pups to keep them warm. Also, the removal of a male when a mother has young pups can cause her to cannibalize her litter. If a males is "hopped" between two cages with two females, then one of the female cages will not receive assistance from the male when raising pups. Additionally, if the male is hopped at the wrong time this can result in more eaten litters.
Listing of Public Comments on Proposed Adoption and Implementation of the Eighth Edition of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals