Housing conditions for the NSG mouse
The NOD.Cg-Prkdcscid Il2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ mice (005557) are severely immunocompromised, and it is important that these mice be maintained in the highest health status room possible. At the Bar Harbor, Maine facility, the live production colonies are maintained in the AX27 and AX30 maximum barrier animal rooms. At the Sacramento, Calif. facility, the live production colony is maintained in the RB05 maximum barrier room. Both facilities are under specified and opportunistic pathogen free (SOPF) conditions. SOPF refers to the list of pathogens monitored in our animal facility. Maximum barrier rooms are characterized by sterilized feed and bedding and sterilization or disinfection of all supplies and equipment. The animal technicians take air showers and change into sterilized clothing and shoes at each entry. Gloves, mask and cap are worn at all times. The most recent health report for our colonies can be found online.
Water bottles (drilled-hole type) are purchased from Thoren Caging Systems, Inc. We do not maintain an automated watering system. Drinking water is supplied from a local source, filtered and acidified using hydrochloric acid to pH 2.5-3.0 (the latter primarily to control for Pseudomonas species), and autoclaved before it enters the room. A compound with vitamin K activity (menadone sodium bisulfate, MSB) is added at a rate of 0.4 mg MSB per ml of water (not done in Sacramento, Calif.). MSB was initially added to compensate for a decrease in vitamin K activity in diets subjected to autoclaving. We now purchase autoclave-stable diets, but continue to add the MSB until further testing is done.
The animals are maintained on an autoclaved diet that is 6% fat and 18% protein manufactured by LabDiet. More specific information on this diet is available at LabDiet's website.
Mouse room temperatures are maintained at 18-24°C (65-75°F).
Lights are on for 14 hours, and off for 10 hours. Timers are reset for daylight savings time to coincide with caretaker work schedules.
Fresh outside air is fully exchanged in the rooms 16 times an hour.
This air is temperature-controlled and is filtered through high efficiency HEPA filters (0.3 micron; 99.97% filtration). Humidity levels are maintained at 45-50%.
