What is an outbred mice?

Like inbred mouse strains, outbred mouse stocks have an official definition: “a closed population (for at least four generations) of genetically variable animals that is bred to maintain maximum heterozygosity”2. The goal in maintaining an outbred stock is usually to minimize genetic change.

How are outbred stocks created?

An outbred stock is a colony of laboratory animals within which there is some genetic variation, which has been closed for at least four generations. This can be achieved with random mating using at least 25 breeding pairs per generation.

What is the difference between inbred and outbred mice?

Genetically, there are two major classes of laboratory mice: inbred and outbred. Inbred mice are genetically homogeneous and there is very little variation or heterogeneity within a pure inbred strain. Outbred mice are bred specifically to maximize genetic diversity and heterozygosity within a population.

What is an outbred?

to produce offspring through sexual relations outside a particular family or tribe. to breed (animals that are not closely related) or (of such animals) to be bred. Derived forms. outbreeding (ˌoutˈbreeding) noun.

What are the uses of outbred mouse stocks?

Outbred mouse stocks, often used in genetics, toxicology and pharmacology research, have been generated in rather haphazard ways. Understanding the characteristics of these stocks and their advantages and disadvantages is important for experimental design.

What do you call a closed population of outbred mice?

Outbred mice are called stocks, which are defined as a closed population (for at least four generations) of genetically variable mice that are bred to maintain maximal heterozygosity. From: Laboratory Animal Medicine (Third Edition), 2015

Why are outbred stocks used in toxicology?

The outbred stocks are a genetically ill-defined set of laboratory mice that are often used erroneously in toxicology, pharmacology and basic research. There is no system of genetic quality control for these stocks and even their names provide little information about their genetic or phenotypic characteristics.

How many papers have been published on inbred mice?

Background data. Many thousands of papers are published each year involving inbred mouse and rat strains. Background data on strain characteristics and mouse genetics accumulates rapidly. There are now extensive databases on mouse, and to a lesser extent rat genetics. These include: The mouse phenome database.