BU IACUCInstitutional Animal Care and Use Committee IACUC oversee... approved October 2008, Revised May 2019

The use of tail biopsy (also known as tail tip amputation, tail snip, or tailing) for genetic analysis of mice must be scientifically justified. Administration of anesthesia is required prior to the performance of a tail biopsy in mice older than three weeks.

Background

Analysis of the DNA of individual mice is necessary for the identification of genetically modified animals that may serve as valuable models for research. The nature and quantity of mouse tissue required for this analysis are based on the type of DNA test being performed.

The massive amplification inherent in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test permits identification of the gene of interest with a very small sample of DNA. Samples of peripheral blood (which contains only a small amount of DNA), hair, saliva, and ear punch biopsy snippets are often sufficient for PCR testing. Most often, several milligrams of solid tissue are needed to identify the presence or absence of a segment of DNA in an animal.

The mouse tail biopsy procedure is the most typically used procedure to obtain tissue for a Southern blot test. The tail of a mouse is composed of bone, cartilage, blood vessels, and nerves.

In a young mouse less than or equal to 3 weeks of age, the tissue near the tip of the tail is soft and the bones have not completely mineralized. Therefore, amputation of the tail tip of a young mouse is judged to cause only momentary pain for the animal.

As the mouse reaches 3–4 weeks of age, tail tissue maturation includes mineralization of the bone and increased vascularity. Tail tip amputation performed on an older animal is likely to involve more than momentary pain, and the procedure has the potential to cause significant hemorrhage and must be done using appropriate anesthesia.

Guidelines

  1. A tail biopsy for genetic analysis of mice must be performed only when scientifically justified. If PCR testing is available, it is likely that sufficient material for genotyping mice can be obtained from samples collected by less invasive methods such as an ear biopsy. An ear punch biopsy has the advantage of offering simultaneous sampling and mouse identification. Toe clipping is not a standard procedure and must be justified in the IACUC application form. It is recommended that tail snips be performed at 2–2.5 weeks of age. Negative mice can then be culled when mice are weaned at 21 days of age.
  2. A tail biopsy in mice greater than three weeks of age is categorized as a potentially painful procedure. Anesthesia must be provided. Because of this classification, the proposal to perform tail snips in mice over 21 days of age must be accompanied by a search for alternatives to this potentially painful procedure.
  3. The total amount of tail tissue removed should be kept to the minimum required for the test to be performed. The excised length of tail should not exceed 0.5cm (about 3/16 inch). Mice use their tails in thermoregulation and balance. The tail of the mouse is also an important site for research procedures such as blood collection, intravenous injection, and restraint.
  4. Hemostasis must be assured before returning the tail-snipped mouse to its cage. When tails are clipped at the recommended age of less than three weeks, hemostasis is easily achieved by direct manual pressure around the end of the tail. Light, direct pressure minimizes tissue damage and the subsequent risk of mouse-inflicted trauma to the tail end. Use of heat to cauterize the amputated end of the tail is discouraged unless bleeding problems are severe. A medical-grade, nontoxic styptic powder may be used if necessary. Silver nitrate is toxic and is not recommended for this purpose as mice may ingest the agent. Application of a tourniquet to the tail of a mouse is strictly prohibited. Contact the veterinary staff for advice if problems with hemostasis are encountered or expected (e.g., mice with blood clotting disorders).
  5. Repeated tail amputations on a single mouse are discouraged. If an additional sample from a mouse may be needed at a later date, cut the original tissue biopsy in half and preserve the extra piece at −20 to −80oC.

Please follow these steps when performing tail snipping:

 

 

 

 

 


BU IACUC APPROVED OCTOBER 2008