VETS 223 - Breeding Colony Management

Credit Hours: 2
Lecture Hours: 0
Laboratory Hours: 5

Prerequisite(s): VETS 115, VETS 120, VETS 131, VETS 132, BIOL 218, VETS 160, VETS 171, VETS 180, VETS 198, VETS 183 or by permission of the instructor

Restriction(s): None

Corequisite(s): VETS 222

This course builds on the concepts introduced in VETS 160 with a focus on genetics, breeding regimes, reproductive technologies and specialized husbandry for rodent breeding colonies. Students will gain a unique, hands-on experience working in an active breeding colony. They will be given an up-close look at the logistics and planning involved in maintaining a fully functional and operational breeding colony. Information from VETS 160 will be reinforced in regards to the biological data of rodents, care of pups and weanlings, and how to properly sex animals. They will also learn how to fill out and interpret genetic paperwork, individually identify animals through microchipping and tattooing, care for and assess breeding pairs, designate future breeders and work out logistics for achieving required animal numbers. Animals in this course will be bred to support the Fall BIOL 218 necropsy and Spring VETS 160 course.

Student Learning Outcomes of the Course: Students that successfully complete this course will be able to:

Discuss the role of a breeding colony manager.
Describe guidelines and regulations pertaining to the care of lab animals
Describe the care and specialized husbandry/enrichment needs of breeder animals
Understand the biological data of each species housed
Describe the mating and breeding systems used in the vivarium.
Describe and show proficiency with the methods of identification and record keeping in the vivarium.
Understand breeding schemes and new techniques\technologies (i.e. genotyping, rederivation, etc.) used in the industry
Develop and implement new procedures\processes to improve colony
Identify the common diseases of laboratory animals, the clinical signs associated with the diseases, and the methods for their control
Successfully meet target numbers for support of BIOL 218 and VETS 160
Monitor breeding pairs for success and signs of reproductive decline
Appropriately select future breeders based on parental breeding success, health status and temperament.