Acclimation & testing periods
Vendor The Jackson Laboratory (JAX®, Bar Harbor, ME) Ages Mice obtained at 6-8 wks of age; tested at 20 months of age (+/- 28 days) Feed NIH31 5K52, LabDiet (PMI Nutritional International), given ad libitum Water Acidified, provided ad libitum Temperature Climate controlled, 21-23°C Humidity Climate controlled, humidity not specified Housing Duplex polycarbonate cages on pressurized, individually ventilated racks (Thoren Caging System) with a high-efficiency particulate air-filtered supply and exhaust; housed 4 per cage Bedding Not specified Photoperiod 12h:12h light cycleHealth Status Mouse colonies were regularly monitored (4 times/yr) for and found to be free of 17 viruses, 17 bacterial species, 2 Mycoplasma species, external and internal parasites, and the microsporidium E. cuniculi. See Berndt et al., 2011 for details. Care and UseProtocols approved by The Jackson Laboratory Animal Care and Use Committee, and conducted in compliance with the Niational Institutes of Health Guidelines for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.