A few years back the Director of Lab Animals at OSU stated that rat and mice numbers will continue to increase dramatically.
In 2000, OSU reported using 8,490 rats and 40,516 mice. Last year, 2004, OSU reported using 32,068 rats and 242,667 mice. I think I'd say that dramatic. The main reason for the increase is the influx of new animal researchers who are breeding and creating transgenic mice. We will update this information at a later date.
Mice are also used in many of the U.S.D.A. "E" category experiments. Where during the experiment, research, surgery or test the accompanying pain and/or distress is not relieved. You can view those protocols by following this link.
Mice and rats are NOT covered under the Animal Welfare Act.
Below is a start to accounting for how mice are used at The Ohio State University.
| 2004A0146 - 4D | Photoperiodic Regulation of Behavior & Estrogen Receptor Beta in Peromysus | Randy J Nelson | 50 deer mice & 50 oldfield mice w/188 deer mice added since initial approval. |
| 2004A0134 - 4D | Sickness Behavior & Social Interaction | Randy J Nelson | 80 male & 25 female mice w/140 mice added since initial approval. |
| 2004A0133 - 3D | Sickness Behavior in Inos Knockout Mice | Randy J Nelson | 32 mice |
| 2004A0166 - 2C | Effects of Alcohol on Object Recognition & Hippocampal Function | Bennet S Givens | 84 C57BL/6 mice |
| 2004A0109 - 4D | Environmental Androgens & Immune Function | Randy J Nelson |
120 "house" mice
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Update: So how and why do mice continue to increase - well here is one explanation that also gives an insight as to why animal researchers continue using animals over and over again.
Protocol, 2002A0005, was approved to use 1,650 mice. Over the next years 240 mice and 487 mice were added to the project. However the largest increase occurred with the IACUC approval of an additional 1,216 mice. Why? The PI writes,
"... 8 papers resulted from the studies (published results keeps the $$ flowing) conducted under the original protocol, sp all of these mice were put to good use and advancement of knowledge. The results, however, have opened up additional questions (don't they always) that need to be answered using the basic protocols described originally for the following experimental measurements, including antibody levels, histopathology, cytokine levels, gene regulation, clinical relevance, etc."
Last Updated: April 30, 2007