Features of the Husbandry to be Equated Across Labs

Five periods may differ in the requirements to some extent. Features mentioned only for the first period are common to all periods.

After arrival from supplier but before mating; housed with same sex

Mated pairs before and after delivery of litter

Weaned offspring before the start of behavioral testing

Preparation for the formal behavioral testing - may be specific to this study

During behavioral testing

After arrival

Food Purina 5001 (4.5% fat)

Bedding Bed-O-Cob 1/4"

Nesting material none

Cage top Stainless steel bars (plus passive filter top in Portland)

Animal handling Gloved hand

Animal marking nil

Animal weighing nil

Mice/cage 4 or 5 maximum

Lights on/off 0600/1800

Mated pairs (items the same as after arrival are not repeated)

Food Purina 5020 (9% fat)

Nesting material 1 Nestlet

Marking none

Weighing at mating

Mice/cage 1 female, 1 male

Male present with litter? Yes; postpartum pregnancy allowed

Inspection of new litter Count live and dead pups; remove dead, put live in nest

Culling of newborns Remove only the obvious runts for euthanasia

Cage changing with litter Do not disturb cage until litter is 4 days old; then clean cage, including fresh nestlet

Weaned offspring

Age at weaning Aim for 21 days (may be ± 1 day when weekend involved)

Weighing Record body weight to nearest 0.5g; find means for each sex

Food Purina 5001

Mice/cage Same sex littermates, 4 or 5 maximum

Marking nil

About two weeks before the start of behavioral testing

Mice/cage Cull to 2 by random lottery (keep some spares in reserve)

Cage changing day Friday

During behavioral testing

Marking Sharpie pen (black or red) on tail; start Monday AM

Weighing On Friday before the coke test

Handling Hand with plastic surgical glove

Cage changing day Friday (AFTER coke test trial for each pair)