Acta Scientific Microbiology (ISSN: 2581-3226)

Research Article Volume 3 Issue 1

Experimentation with Animals: A Key Aspect of the 3Rs: The Genetic Quality

Maria Alfonsina Lizárraga*, Diego Posik, Eugenia Zappa, Nadia Castillo, Guillermo Giovambattista

IGEVET - Institute of Veterinary Genetic "Ing. Fernando N. Dulout" (UNLP - CONICET LA PLATA). School of Veterinary Sciences, National University of La Plata, Argentina

*Corresponding Author: Maria Alfonsina Lizárraga, IGEVET - Institute of Veterinary Genetic "Ing. Fernando N. Dulout" (UNLP - CONICET LA PLATA). School of Veterinary Sciences, National University of La Plata, Argentina.

Received: November 26, 2019; Published: December 10, 2019

×

Abstract

  The genetic quality of laboratory animals is essential for reproducibility of scientific research. Working with animals of certified genetic quality is still a pending issue in Argentina due to the lack of routine genetic controls, of information on the genetic background of animals and of proper training. Apart from being concerned with having their results published and getting funding for research, scientists should know the genetic origin of laboratory animals. Consequently, they should perform genetic controls to verify whether animal integrity has been compromised by accidental genetic contamination or genetic drift. The aim of this work was to evaluate the genetic purity of the inbred C57BL/6J mouse strain from three animal facilities belonging to the Buenos Aires University School of Medicine network by analyzing a panel of microsatellite markers. Female mice tail samples (3-5 mm) were taken and genomic DNA was obtained by organic extraction. The genetic profile of each animal was determined by PCR-fragment analysis, using microsatellites D1Mit155, D2Mit493, D3Mit49, D13Mit13, D6Mit8 and D12Mit12, located on six different autosomal chromosomes and selected from the Mouse Genome Informatics database (www.informatics.jax.org/searches). The results obtained provided key data on the genetic quality of the three inbred animal colonies studied. They also served as an example for other laboratory animal facilities in Argentina and as a starting point to modify the conditions and management of laboratory animal colonies. We determined the genetic purity of the inbred C57BL/6J mouse strain in all animal facilities evaluated. All six loci analyzed were homozygous, certifying their isogenicity and phenotypic uniformity. These results are promising for animal facilities mainly performing biomedical research. They also show a positive evolution in handling animal colonies and use of the 3Rs, and researcher commitment with animal science, since they promote the supply of genetically quality-controlled animals. The positive impact of these results should encourage other researchers using this inbred strain to perform periodic genetic monitoring, thereby consolidating the supply of quality-controlled mice. This pioneering study carried out in IGEVET (CONICET- UNLP) should consolidate the genetic monitoring of inbred strains throughout the country.

Keywords: 3Rs; C57BL/6J; Genetic Monitoring; Conventional Animal Care Facility

×

References

  1. Diaz S. “Analysis of the situation of laboratory animal science in Argentina”. Master's Thesis. Buenos Aires' University (2018): 1-117.
  2. “Strategies to minimize genetic drift an maximize experimental reproducibility in mouse research”. (2017).
  3. “Memories of the 1st Argentine Meeting of CICUALes. Society of Veterinary Medicine”, Buenos Aires, Argentina (2011).
  4. “Ministry of Science and technology and productive innovation”. MinCyT, Resolucioé n Ministerial Nº 673/13. 16 of August (2013).
  5. Waterson R., et al. “Initial sequencing and comparative analysis of the mouse genome”. Nature 420 (2002): 520-562.
  6. Benavides F and Guenét J. “Murine Models of Human Diseases”. Medicine (2000): 215-231.
  7. “Genetic contamination of an SJL/J mouse colony: Rapid detection by PCR-based Microstellite analysis”. The American Association for Laboratory Animal Science 38.2(1999): 54-55.
  8. Ceccarelli A. “Survey and evaluation of the bioterios that work in dependence of the University of Buenos Aires”. Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry. University of Buenos Aires, Argentina (1999).
  9. The Jackson laboratory.
  10. “Speaking of research”. Worlwide Animal Research Statistics (2017).
  11. Http://eara.eu/es/campanas/cuarenta-razones-para-defender-la-investigacion-con-animales/
  12. Russell and Burch. “The principles of Humane Experimental Technique” (1959).
×

Citation

Citation: Maria Alfonsina Lizárraga., et al. “Experimentation with Animals: A Key Aspect of the 3Rs: The Genetic Quality".Acta Scientific Microbiology 3.1 (2020): 62-65.




Metrics

Acceptance rate30%
Acceptance to publication20-30 days

Indexed In






News and Events


  • Certification for Review
    Acta Scientific certifies the Editors/reviewers for their review done towards the assigned articles of the respective journals.
  • Submission Timeline for Upcoming Issue
    The last date for submission of articles for regular Issues is December 25, 2024.
  • Publication Certificate
    Authors will be issued a "Publication Certificate" as a mark of appreciation for publishing their work.
  • Best Article of the Issue
    The Editors will elect one Best Article after each issue release. The authors of this article will be provided with a certificate of "Best Article of the Issue"

Contact US