Comparison of commonly used ICR stocks and the characterization of Korl:ICR.

ABSTRACT

Mouse is a commonly used animal in life science studies and is classified as outbred if genetically diverse and inbred if genetically homogeneous. Outbred mouse stocks, are used in toxicology, oncology, infection and pharmacology research. The National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation (NIFDS; former the Korea National Institute of Health) have bred ICR mice for more than 50 years. We investigated to provide users with information and promote accountability to the KorlICR. To secure the indigenous data, biological characteristics of KorlICR were identified by comparing with other ICR stocks. This domestic ICR stock was denominated as 'KorlICR'. Phylogenetic analysis using SNPs indicated that the population stratification of the KorlICR was allocated different area with other ICR. In addition, we measured litter size, body weight, body length, various organ weight, hematology and clinical blood chemistry of the KorlICR compared to other ICR. Otherwise, there are no significant differences among the biological phenotypes of KorlICR and other ICR. These results suggest that as a genetically indigenous source colony, the KorlICR is seperated (or independent) stock with other ICR. Also, we confirmed that there is no difference among the KorlICR and other ICR on biological phenotypes. Therefore, the KorlICR source colony might be a new stock in distinction from other ICR, it is a good milestone in securing ownership of the national laboratory animal resource. The NIFDS expects that the KorlICR mice will be useful animal resource for our domestic researchers.