Rodent Resources
Miscellaneous Feed Information
Feed remains fresh for 6 months, and NIA only will provide a 3-month supply at a time.
Feed Supply Calculation
On request, Harlan can calculate the feed supply amount necessary for the animals. All requests for calculations must be included in the "Special Instructions" section on the NIA order form. Specify the selected feed type used to maintain the animals, quantity of animals, strain, gender, date of birth (DOB), and the length of time the animals will be maintained.
Food Charges |
NIH Fortified |
$10.00 per kg |
NIH 31 |
$2.00 per kg |
Freight |
$12.00 flat rate |
Pellet Sizes
- 2.5 g up to 5.0 in increments of .5–1 kg = 2.2 lbs
- Fortified 2.5–5.0 g pellet size
- NIH31: random-weight chunk formula, approximately 2.0–3.0 g various sized pellets
Caloric-Restricted (CR) Feeding Schedule |
Weeks |
Amount |
13 |
100% (regular feed) |
14 |
*90% (fortified) |
15 |
75% |
16+ |
60% |
*CR begins at 4 months of age.
Miscellaneous Shipping Information
Overseas Shipping
The maximum age for shipping F344 rats overseas is 26 months. The maximum age for shipping F344 x BN rats overseas is 36 months. There is a 2- to 3-week turnaround time from order placement to delivery.
Packing
Animals are packed one age group per crate.
Packing Information |
Animal Type |
Number per Crate |
Rats |
6 |
Mice |
20 |
BALB/c Mice |
5 (compartmentalized) |
Cagemates
C57BL/6 animals are always shipped as cagemates. Other strains are not shipped as cagemates, unless specifically requested by customer on the NIA order form.
Air Delivery Customers
All air deliveries are shipped on Monday for Tuesday/Wednesday delivery. Animals must originate from the same barrier; barriers cannot be split.
Water Kits vs. Gel Packs
Both the water kit and gel pack are safe and effective. However:
- Gel packs have more stability
- Gel packs can leak and adhere to the bedding and the animals' hair
- Water packs may damage the box if the water kit valve is broken
Customs Information: Canada
When using NIA transport trucks, Harlan is responsible for passing animals through customs. If the animals are delivered via air transport, the customer must have his or her own customs broker to pass the animals through customs.
Miscellaneous Health Information
Helicobacter
The health of the barriers vary; some barriers have Helicobacter rodentium, Helicobacter hepaticus, both, or neither.
Helicobacter-Free Rodents
Helicobacter-free rodents include the following:
- All F344 x BN rodents
- F344 males up to a 2/02 DOB
- F344 females up to a 2/02 DOB
- All mice in 217 up to a 9/02 DOB
Tumors
Tumors are considered normal in rodents aged 16 months and older.
Surgeries
There is a 2- to 3-week turnaround time from order placement to delivery for orders involving surgery.
Age of Maturity
Regarding age and reproductive function, F344 males and females reach their sexual maturity at approximately 7 weeks of age.
General Information
Stock
All mice are of Jackson stock. NIA receives new stock at the beginning of each contract. Animals are rederived and set up specifically for NIA.
Credit for Animal Replacement
For animal replacement, the Office of Biological Resources and Resource Development (OBRRD) must be notified within 48 hours of delivery. OBRRD will provide replacement animals under the following conditions:
- If animals are "dead on arrival"
- If animals die within 48 hours of arrival
- If the incorrect animal type is delivered
Age of Replacement Animals
Animals will be replaced at the same age as the original order, unless the customer specifically indicates the same DOB.
Vendor Location for Animal Research Papers
The vendor, NIA at Harlan Sprague Dawley, is located in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Yearly Animal Prices
Animal prices are increased yearly by approximately 4 percent.
Orders for Collaborators
NIA grantees may order animals to be delivered to collaborators; however, the animals must be billed to the grantee. If the grantee is ordering animals for delivery to a commercial institution, approval must be obtained via email from Dr. Nancy Nadon of OBRRD.
Inclement Weather Policy
NIA will not make any shipments when the atmospheric temperature and/or the temperature within the transportation carrier are harmful to the shipment.
Payments
- Payments are accepted in United States currency only.
- VISA and MasterCard are accepted.
- Customers cannot prepay for animals.
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grantees
SBIR grantees are permitted to order if they are funded by NIA.
Miscellaneous Animal Information
Strain Colors: Rats |
Rat Strain |
Color |
F344 |
White Albino |
F344 x BN |
*Brownish-Black |
BN |
Brown |
*Includes white area on chest and underbelly.
Strain Colors: Mice |
Mouse Strain |
Color |
BALB/c |
White Albino |
C57BL/6 |
Intense Black |
CBA |
Agouti (brownish-gray) |
DBA |
Dilute Brown/Non-Agouti (silvery-light gray) |
B6D2F1 |
Black |
CB63F1 |
Agouti (brownish-gray) |
CB6F1 |
Agouti (brownish-gray) |
Weight of Animals
Customers are permitted to specify a weight range, but they are not permitted to request a specific weight.
Retired Breeders
Retired breeders start at 9 months old; these are male F344 rats only.
Information Regarding DOB
NIA only can provide dates in a "month/year" format because the contractor weans several litters born in the same week at the same time and randomly assigns them to cages. Animals in the same cage do not have the same actual day of birth. NIA does not require the contractor to record the specific day of birth on the aging cage cards, only the month of birth.
Housing at Harlan
If any animals die, no additional animals are added to their cage. Animals in the CR colonies are individually housed.
Animal Housing |
Animal |
Number per Cage |
Rat |
3 |
Mouse |
5 |
Gene Information
Gene-Related Terms and Indications |
Term |
Indications |
Transgenic |
A gene has been added. |
Targeted Mutation |
Gene has been changed to inactive. |
Mutation |
Gene has been changed. |
Tissue Bank Resources
Tumor Tissue Identification
To indicate tumor tissue, vials have a red top, and larger vials are marked with a red "dot".
Vital Statistics Sheet
The Vital Statistics Sheet lists all information, including tumors.
Sample Numbers
Number of Samples Packed in a "Normal" Sized Shipping Box |
Vial Size |
Number of Samples |
Comments |
Small |
200 |
Most mouse tissue is in small vials. |
Large |
25 |
Includes some rat tissue and larger mouse organs. |