A mouse vivarium is a specialized facility designed to house mice in a controlled environment, ensuring their health and comfort. These facilities are maintained to provide optimal conditions for the animals and play a significant role in scientific research and breeding programs.
Purpose of Mouse Vivariums
Mice are housed in vivaria because they serve as valuable models in biomedical research. Their genetic similarities to humans, rapid breeding cycles, and small size make them suitable for studying various diseases and biological processes. Researchers utilize mice to investigate conditions like Huntington’s Disease, osteoporosis, heart disease, and HIV.
Vivaria also facilitate the testing of new therapies and the development of medical interventions. Beyond research, these facilities breed specialized mouse strains, including transgenic and immune-deficient lines, crucial for maintaining specific genetic characteristics for studies. This environment ensures consistent and reliable research outcomes.
Maintaining Optimal Environmental Conditions
Maintaining precise environmental conditions in a mouse vivarium supports animal well-being and research integrity. Temperature is carefully regulated, ranging between 18-23°C (65-75°F). The thermoneutral zone for mice is higher, around 26-34°C (79-93°F), necessitating nesting material for warmth.
Relative humidity is controlled, kept between 30% and 70%, to prevent issues like skin irritation or mold growth. Light cycles are managed, with common patterns being 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness, or 14 hours of light and 10 hours of dark. This cycle regulates the mice’s natural behaviors. Air quality is maintained through ventilation systems, ensuring frequent air changes to prevent the buildup of contaminants like ammonia and carbon dioxide.
Daily Housing and Care Routines
Daily care in a mouse vivarium ensures animal health and comfort. Mice are housed in polycarbonate cages, often within individually ventilated racks, which provide automatic watering systems. Cages are furnished with bedding, such as Bed-o-cob or wood shavings, chosen for absorbency and low dust, allowing mice to compartmentalize their space.
Environmental enrichment items are provided to promote natural behaviors like nest building, foraging, and hiding. Examples include nestlets, shredded paper, tunnels, and chew sticks, which reduce stress and prevent repetitive behaviors. Mice receive specialized diets, provided ad libitum (constant access).
Watering systems utilize automated lixits, supplemented by water bottles, and are regularly checked. Trained personnel conduct daily health monitoring, observing each animal for signs of illness or distress.
Ensuring Animal Welfare and Compliance
Animal welfare guides mouse vivaria, with facilities adhering to regulations and guidelines. In the United States, institutions comply with the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. This policy applies to all vertebrate animals, including mice, and is overseen by the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) at NIH.
The Animal Welfare Act, enforced by the USDA, sets standards for animal care, though it exempts mice and rats bred for research. Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs) are mandated by these regulations to review and approve all research protocols involving animals.
These committees, composed of a veterinarian, a scientist, and a community member, ensure ethical treatment, minimize distress, and align research with established guidelines like the “Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.” IACUCs also conduct semi-annual inspections of facilities and programs to verify compliance.